Strength is an important component of fitness that can benefit athletes in any sport, although it is often viewed as of little importance in soccer. However, strength forms the basis for power and speed. Soccer players also need strength to hold off challenges from opponents. Other benefits of strength training include: -Injury resistance -Leaner body composition -Faster metabolism -More energy -Greater explosiveness -Improved balance, stability, and agility -Faster recovery High level soccer players dont need to have the same absolute strength as American football players or rugby players, but a properly designed off-field strength training program will definitely elicit improvements in performance! Relative strength is more important in soccer than absolute strength. Relative strength is simply your absolute strength in relation to your body weight. Your strength training program should focus on compound, functional exercises (such as lunges, squats, step ups, pushups, dips, chin-ups), and take into account balancing the strength of opposing muscle groups (i.e.- quadriceps vs. hamstrings). Dont waste your time training solely on machines, and avoid useless, non-functional exercises such as leg extensions. The majority of your exercises should be ground-based, using bodyweight or free weights as resistance, and should involve movement of your full body. Dylan Tooby
Posted on: Fri, 02 Jan 2015 22:00:23 +0000
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