Effect of Concurrent Power and Sprint Training on Physical Fitness in Well-Trained Youth Soccer Players: A Pilot Study

ABSTRACT: Kyriacou-Rossi, A, Ieronymides, D, Hadjipantelis, A, Stampoulis, T, Hadjicharalambous, M, Avloniti, A, Chatzinikolaou, A, and Zaras, N. Effect of concurrent power and sprint training on physical fitness in well-trained youth soccer players: A pilot study. J Strength Cond Res XX(X): 000-000, 2026-The purpose of the study was to investigate the effect of 5-week concurrent power-sprint training on power, repeated sprint ability (RSA), and aerobic capacity in well-trained youth soccer players. Sixteen male players (15.9 ± 0.5 years; height: 173.8 ± 5.0 m; mass: 65.3 ± 8.2 kg) participated in the study. After baseline evaluation, players were matched and divided into the concurrent (Conc) and the compound (Comp) groups. Players in the Conc group performed power-sprint training in the same training session, while the Comp group performed power and sprint training the following day. At the beginning and end of the 5-week training program, measurements included body composition, flexibility, countermovement (CMJ) and drop jumps (DJ), isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP), 5-step long-jump, 0-30 m linear sprint, t test agility, RSA, and 30-15 intermittent fitness test (IFT). No changes were found for body composition and flexibility, although both groups improved CMJ height (Conc: 6.4%, p < 0.000; Comp: 5.6%, p < 0.001) and DJ reactive strength index (Conc: 38.2-42.5%, p < 0.000; Comp: 27.5-44.7%, p = 0.001), but only Conc increased IMTP (8.6%, p = 0.014). Five-step long-jump increased for both groups (Conc: 2.8 ± 2.6%, p = 0.027; Comp: 3.3 ± 3.6%, p = 0.012) but no chances were observed for 0-30 m linear sprint and agility. Repeated sprint ability increased in both groups, but Conc induced greater increases than Comp (p < 0.001). Significant increases were found for 30-15 IFT V̇o2max (Conc: 4.8%; Comp: 4.0%) for both groups. In conclusion, concurrent power-sprint training improves strength, power, and aerobic fitness in youth soccer players. Implementing both modalities within the same training session yields superior gains particularly in RSA, a key factor in soccer performance.