Associations between maximal strength, sprint, and jump height and match physical performance in high‐level female football players
Sigurd Pedersen, Boye Welde, Edvard H. Sagelv, Kim Arne Heitmann, Morten B. Randers, Dag Johansen, Svein Arne Pettersen
Abstract
Studies on females’ decisive physical components to physical match-play performance are sparse and only emphasize endurance tests. Thus, the influence of maximal strength and power on physical performance during match-play is currently unknown. The aim of this study was to assess the association between one repetition maximum (1RM) half squat strength, 5-, 10-, and 15-m sprint times, countermovement jump (CMJ) height, and physical high-intensity match-play performance in high-level female football players. Thirty-seven female high-level football players completed 1–2 football matches with physical performance measured by local positioning tracking. Correlations were assessed between physical match-play performance variables (total distance covered, running distance, high-intensity running distance, sprinting distance as well as acceleration and deceleration counts, and peak speed) and laboratory tests (half squat 1RM, 15-m sprint, and CMJ). We found no correlation between 1RM and physical match-play performance. Further, 10-m- and 15-m sprint time (r = −0.56, r = −0.56, p < 0.001) and CMJ jump height (r = 0.50, p < 0.01) strongly correlated with peak match speed. Further, there was a moderate correlation between 15-m sprint time and ACC (r = −0.43, p < 0.05). 5-m sprint time did not correlate with physical match-play performance. Laboratory-based sprint and jump performance, but not maximal half squat strength, showed moderate to large correlations with high-intensity physical match-play performance measures in high-level female football players.