The main purpose of this systematic review and meta-analysis was to compare the effects of strength training (ST) and plyometric training (PT) on vertical jump, linear sprint and change of direction (COD) performance in female soccer players. A systematic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar and SportDiscus databases revealed 12 studies satisfying the inclusion criteria. The inverse-variance random-effects model for meta-analyses was used. Effect sizes (ES) were represented by the standardized mean difference and presented alongside 95% confidence intervals (CI). The magnitude of the main effect was small to moderate (vertical jump (ES 0.53 (95% CI—0.11, 0.95), Z = 2.47 (p = 0.01); linear sprint (ES −0.66 (95% CI—2.03, −0.21), Z = 2.20 (p = 0.03); COD (ES −0.36 (95% CI—0.68, −0.03), Z = 2.17 (p = 0.03)). Subgroup analyses were performed (i.e., ST and PT duration, frequency, session duration and total number of sessions), revealing no significant subgroup differences (p = 0.12–0.88). In conclusion, PT provides better benefits than ST to improve vertical jump, linear sprint and COD performance in female soccer players. However, significant limitations in the current literature prevent assured PT and ST prescription recommendations being made.

Introduction: Women’s football require optimal neuromuscular system development for injury prevention and performance optimization. Standardized neuromuscular training programs have shown promising results in reducing injuries and functional asymmetries, but evidence on their impact on performance is limited.Methods: This research examined the effects of a 10-week neuromuscular training program on physical performance and asymmetries in female football players. Thirty-eight female players from two Spanish Second Division women’s football teams participated in the study. The physical performance tests used were: ankle dorsiflexion, bilateral and unilateral horizontal jump, bilateral and unilateral vertical countermovement jump, 40 m sprint including partial times at 10, 20 and 30 m and the 505 test for change of direction evaluation. For 10 weeks, players in the experimental group performed three weekly 24-min neuromuscular training sessions. Participants in the control group completed their normal 24-min strength and conditioning program.Results: The main results were that maximal linear velocity and change of direction skills showed the most notable improvements [effect size (ES), 0.46 to 0.59] after implementation of the training program, ankle dorsiflexion and jumping skills, also improved although, to a lesser extent (ES, <0.35) while asymmetries between limbs were reduced. Maximal running speed improved in the intervention group (p < 0.001) with a mean ES −0.59.Discussion: We conclude that a 10-week neuromuscular training program can be a sufficient stimulus to improve football-specific performance variables in high-level female football players. Therefore, female players and coaches should be aware that weekly inclusion of strength, power and dynamic balance exercises following a neuromuscular paradigm is helpful for football-specific performance improvement.

Physical activity has been recognized as an essential element for the health and well-being of children and adolescents. Therefore, this systematic review delves into the study of the relationship between extracurricular physical activity (PA) academic achievement (AA), and its alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) among students aged 3–16 years. This systematic review was guided by adhering to PRISMA guidelines. The review included studies that evaluated PA as an independent variable and its impact on academic performance (AP) through mediation models, structural equations, and multiple regression analyses. The key mediators identified between PA and AA include cognitive function, psychological well-being, and social factors. Cognitive self-regulation, attention, memory, self-efficacy, and self-esteem are key mediators between PA and AA as well as sleep patterns and a healthy lifestyle. In conclusion, extracurricular PA significantly influenced AA, and its influence was mediated by various cognitive, psychological, and social factors. These results support the inclusion and promotion of PA in educational settings, which aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals by improving AA and overall student well-being.

(1) Background: This study was conducted to investigate the effects of a 10-week neuromuscular training program (NMT) on the sum of six skinfolds (Σ6S) and body composition variables in elite female soccer players. (2) Methods: Forty-four Spanish elite female soccer players (age: 24.0 ± 4.2 years; height: 164.3 ± 5.5 cm; body mass: 60.4 ± 5.5 kg; body mass index (BMI): 22.4 ± 2.2 kg/m²) were randomly assigned to a control group (CG) or to an experimental group (EG). Participants in the EG completed a specific NMT program of 24 min, three times per week, which included exercises from six different categories (mobility, dynamic stability, anterior chain strength, lumbopelvic control, posterior chain strength, and change of direction). The CG followed their normal strength and conditioning program. Pre- and post-intervention assessments included anthropometric measurements (weight, height, limb circumferences, and bone breadths), and subsequently, body composition factors BMI, Σ6S, body mass, muscle mass, and lean body mass were calculated. Nutrition was standardized by a nutritionist and also load monitored. (3) Results: A two-way mixed analysis of variance (group × time) revealed that there was a significant (p ≤ 0.001) group × time interaction between body mass, fat mass, and Σ6S in favor of NMT. A significant interaction was also observed for body skeletal muscle mass and lean body mass favoring NMT. (4) Conclusions: The application of an NMT program seems to be a useful strategy to improve body composition in elite female soccer players.

Futsal is a high intensity team sport with intermittent actions of short duration, so it is necessary to include different training strategies to improve explosive actions. There is a gap in the scientific literature regarding training programs that improve the performance of young futsal players. The aim of this study was to determine the effects of different strength and velocity training programs on lower body physical performance in youth futsal players. Forty-two youth futsal players were divided into control group (CG, n = 14) and a strength intervention group (SG, n = 14), which included a weekly session for 8 weeks of eccentric strength training, plyometrics and core strengthening, and a velocity intervention group (VG, n = 14), which included a weekly session during 8 weeks of training with linear speed exercises and with change of direction, accelerations with resistance bands and core strengthening. SG significantly improved horizontal jump (HJ) (p:0.02), V-CUT (p:0.91) and change of direction deficit (CODD) (p:0.01). VG showed significant improvements in HJ (p:0.01), in 25 m sprint (p:0.01), in total repeated sprint ability time (p:0.01), in V-CUT (p:0.01) and in CODD (p:0.01). SG showed significant intergroup differences (p:0.01) in COD variables with respect to CG and VG. In conclusion, SG and VG showed significant improvements in lower body performance variables in youth futsal players. In addition, the SG has substantial changes in COD compared to the other two groups, so it has a greater effect.

Studies show that although female soccer players often have shorter change of direction (COD) deficits than males, indicating different biomechanical profiles, there is a lack of research on the impact of physical metrics on COD performance in females. The purpose of this work was to analyse whether performance metrics based on speed and jumping could explain the variation in %CODD in young female soccer players. Thirty-three highly trained adolescent female soccer players with an age of 16 ± 0.95 years, a body mass of 55.7 ± 7.22 kg, and a height of 160.4 ± 5.22 cm performed COD180 tests, 10 m and 30 m sprint tests, single-leg countermovement, and horizontal jumps. Acceleration in the first 10 m of a sprint was identified as a significant predictor of COD180 performance (R² = 28%), (R² = 50%), (p < 0.01), indicating that early sprint performance may largely determine an individual’s ability to change direction. However, no predictors were found for %CODD. Significant correlations were observed between COD180 performance and %CODD, acceleration, linear speed, and horizontal jump performance (r = −0.59 to 0.70; p < 0.05). The study suggests that specific physical performance metrics, particularly early acceleration, are crucial for enhancing COD skills in female soccer players, emphasizing the need for targeted training interventions.