American Journal of Scientific Research

ISSN 1450-223X Issue 30(2011), pp. 125-133

EuroJournals Publishing, Inc. 2011
http://www.eurojournals.com/ajsr.htm

The Effects of Tapering on Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) and

Maximal Aerobic Power in Male Soccer Players

Hojatollah Nikbakht
Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences
Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
E-mail: hojnik1937@yahoo.com

Saeed Keshavarz
Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences
Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
E-mail: keshavarz1357@gmail.com

Khosrow Ebrahim
Department of Physical Education & Sport Sciences
Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
E-mail: k-ebrahim@sbu.ac.ir

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of 2-week tapering on
anaerobic aerobic power and repeated sprint ability (RSA) in male soccer players. Eighteen
collegiate male soccer players performed interval training 2 times a week for 8 weeks.
The interval training consisted of 4 4 min running at an intensity of 9095% of
maximal heart rate (MHR), separated by periods of 3-min jog at 5565% of MHR. The
players were then randomly and equally divided into two groups: the control (C:
age=20.51.51 yr; height =178.53.7 cm; body mass=73.614.53 kg) and taper (T: age
=21.751.48 yr; height =178.622.72 cm; body mass =72.374.04 kg) groups. During
taper period, C group continued weekly training and T group reduced volume training by
50% for two weeks. Before and after tapering, 20-meter shuttle run test and Running-based
Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), consists of six times 35m discontinuous sprints, and
[Lac]peak at the end of the RAST were performed. Statistical significance was set at P <
0.05. In the T group total sprint time (TT) to complete the 635-m sprints (31.17 1.66 s
vs. 32.52 1.57 s; P = 0.004) and sprint decrement as fatigue index (FI) improved
significantly (5.7 2.02 vs. 5.9 2.13 s; P= 0.005) with the [Lac]peak at the end of the
RAST significantly greater (11.85 0.95 mmol.L-1 vs. 11.74 0.96mmol.L-1; P = 0.005),
but no changes were observed in the aerobic power (P=0.169). None of the investigated
parameters showed a significant change in the C group (P>0.05). It can be concluded that
tapering can improve RSA in soccer players.

Keywords: Tapering, soccer, aerobic power, RSA.

The Effects of Tapering on Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) and
Maximal Aerobic Power in Male Soccer Players 126

Introduction
Maximal aerobic power (VO2max) and repeated sprint ability (RSA) are considered essential soccer-
specific fitness components for high-level players (Reilly et al., 2000; Reilly and Bangboo., 1998).
Thus, coaches and players are constantly seekinig new training methods to optimise these factors
during preparation phase. To maximize the training effects, there needs to be a balance between
training work-loads and sufficient periods of rest (Halson et al., 2002; Halson and Jeukendrup, 2004).
Therefore, a proper manipulation of training variables (intensity, volume, and frequency) must be
performed. If the volume and intensity of training are inappropriately high and the recovery periods are
restricted, the athlete will be under the risk of overreaching and overtraining (Halson et al., 2002;
Halson and Jeukendrup, 2004).
A practice which is commonly considered to create maximal performance and minimize
overtraining probability is to decrease training work-loads some days before the major event (Houmard
et al., 1994; Banister et al., 1999; Costil et al., 1985; Hooper et al., 1999; Mujika et al., 2003; Thomas
et al., 2009). This reduction in the training load is commonly termed "taper" (Banister et al., 1999;
Gibala et al., 1994; Houmard et al., 1994; Johns et al., 1992; Mujika et al., 2000).
The goal during taper periods is to to reduce the negative physiological and psychological
impact of daily training (i.e., accumulated fatigue), rather than achieve further improvements in the
positive consequences of training (i.e., fitness gains) (Mujika and Padilla, 2003). During a taper,
several variables including volume, frequency and intensity of training sessions can be manipulated to
maximise performance. Meanwhile, the duration of the taper period can play an important role as well
(Mujika and Padilla, 2003; Mujika et al., 2004; Bishop and Edge, 2005).
It has been assumed that training intensity is a key factor to maintain training-induced
adaptations (Hickson et al., 1985; Mujika et al., 2000; Kubukeli et al., 2002; Houmard et al., 1994;
Neufer, 1989; Mujika and Padilla, 2003) and a slight reduction of training frequency (20%) for the
highly trained atheletes and a more reduction (30-50%) for the moderately trained atheletes is
appropriate for improving performance (Mujika and Padilla, 2003). Standardized training volume
reductions of 50-70% have been shown to bring about various significant performance-enhancing
physiological changes (Mujika and Padilla, 2003) including improved maximal oxygen uptake
(Jeukendrup et al., 1992; Zarkadas et al., 1995; Dressendorfer et al., 2002; Margaritis, 2003; Neary et
al., 2003a, 2003b) and anaerobic performance (Costil et al., 1985; D'Acquisto et al., 1992; Jeukendrup
et al., 1992; Mujika et al., 2002) in various well-trained athletes such as runners (Shepley et al., 1992;
Houmard et al., 1994),cyclists (Martin et al., 1994; Jeukendrup et al., 1992; Dressendorfer et al, 2002),
swimmers (Costil et al., 1985; Johns et al., 1992; Raglin et al., 1996; Hooper et al., 1998; Trappe et al.,
2000), and triathletes (Zarkadas et al, 1995; Banister et al., 1999)
Investigations have reported VO2max enhancements of 6.0% in cyclists reducing their weekly
training volume by 50% during 7 days (Neary et al., 2003a). VO2max of well trained triathletes also
increased (3%- 9.1%) following two weeks of taper (Zarkadas et al., 1995; Banister et al., 1999;
Margaritis et al, 2003). Enhancement in peak power output and peak blood lactate concentration after
maximal exercise as a result of tapering have been reported (Bonifazi et al., 2000; D'Acquisto et al.,
1992; ; Mujika et al., 2000; Jeukendrup et al., 1992; Shepley et al., 1992), indicating positive effect of
tapering on maximal performance capabilities.
While taper is a well-established practice for numerous athlete groups including swimmers,
runners, and cyclists, to our knowledge, there are presently limited experimental evidence to show that
this practice is effective in soccer players. Therefore, this study was designed to examine the effect of a
two-week tapering period on RSA and maximal aerobic power in male soccer players.
127 Hojatollah Nikbakht, Saeed Keshavarz and Khosrow Ebrahim

Research Method
Participants
Eighteen trained collegiate male soccer players volunteered to participate in this study. The study was
approved by the institutional research ethics board. All subjects were informed of any risks and
discomfort associated with the experiment before giving their written consent to participate. Table 1
presents selected characteristics of the subjects at the outset of the study. Although physically active,
all subjects were considered untrained and had not been participating in a regular exercise program for
at least 3 months prior to the start of the study. During the study, players were not allowed to
participate in any other training program that would impact the results.

Study Design
The total duration of the present study was 10 weeks. After baseline testing, subjects completed eight
weeks of interval training program. Then, they were randomly divided into two equal groups matched
for the [Lac]peak records: the control group (C: age=20.51.51 yr; height=178.53.7 cm; body
mass=73.614.53 kg; n=9) continued weekly training volume for more two weeks, the taper group (T:
age =21.751.48 yr; height =178.622.72 cm; body mass =73.934.60 kg; n=9) proceeded with a 50%
reduction in training volume relative to the weekly training volume performed by the control group for
this two-week period. Training volume in this study was defined as the training time in each session.

Figure 1: Schematic overview of study design

2-wk
Control group
baseline testing 8-wk interval training Post-tapering
Pre-tapering (n=9)
All subjects (N=18) test
test Taper group
(n=9)

Procedures
At the outset of the study (baseline testing), then before and after the 2-week tapering, the pre- and
post-tapering tests were performed. In addition to anthropometric measurements, the tests included the
Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) and 20-meter shuttle run test in order to assess RSA and
maximal aerobic power, respectively. The tests were performed in the afternoon between 5 and 7 pm,
on a natural grass training field, using regular soccer shoes. Players were instructed to avoid intense
exercise for the 24-hour period before each testing session. All participants were instructed to maintain
their current dietary habits throughout the duration of the study.

The Running-Based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST)

The test consists of six times 35m discontinuous sprints. Each sprint represents a maximal effort with
10 seconds allowed between each sprint for the turnaround. The time for each sprint was used as the
criterion score during the RAST. A photoelectric cell timing system (Alge-Timing Electronic, Vienna,
Austria) linked to a digital chronoscope was used to record each sprint and rest interval time with an
accuracy of 0.001 seconds. The fastest time (FT), total sprint time to complete the 635-m sprints (TT)
and sprint decrement (SD) as fatigue index were calculated by dividing the sum of the sprinting times
for 6 sprints by the best possible total score and then multiplying by 100 (Fitzsimons). According to
Fitzsimons et al. (1993) total sprint time (TT) to complete the 635-m sprints and sprint decrement as
fatigue index (FI) were considered as RSA variables.
The Effects of Tapering on Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) and
Maximal Aerobic Power in Male Soccer Players 128

Peak Blood Lactate Concentration ([Lac]Peak)

Blood samples from a finger prick were obtained during 2 min after completion of the RAST for the
measurement of [Lac]peak (Accusport blood lactate analyser, Boehringer, Mannheim, Germany).

Aerobic Power Test

At least 90 min after completion of RAST, 20-meter shuttle run test was performed as described by
Paliczka et al. (1987). Briefly, the test consisted of shuttle running at progressively increased speed
between 2 markers placed 20 m apart. The pace of the test controlled by audio bleeps from a CD-player
at appropriate intervals. Each subject was required to be at one end of the 20-m course at the signal. A
start speed of 8.5 km.h-1 was maintained for 1 minute, and thereafter the speed was increased 0.5 km.h-
1
every minute. The test score achieved was the number of 20-m laps completed before the subject
either withdrew voluntarily from the test or failed to arrive within 3 m of the end line on 2 consecutive
tones. Each subjects VO2 was derived by the formula, VO2max = 6.0 (maximum speed achieved) - 2
24.4 (St Clair Gibson et al., 1998).

Training and Taper

The interval training which consisted of 44 min at 90-95% of HRmax, with a 3-min jog at 55-65%
HRmax in between, was conducted twice per week (Sunday and Tuesday) for 8 weeks. This training
model can increase both VO2max (Helgerud et al., 2001) and anaerobic endurance of soccer players
(Sporis et al., 2008). The players HRmax was estimated (220-age) and heart rate (HR) was monitored
during the interval training (Finland or Polar Team System). During the 2-wk taper period, the volume
of interval training was reduced to 50% for the T group (2 4min at 90-95% of HRmax), while the C
group continued their interval training without change. The investigator supervised all sessions.

Statistical Analyses
Before using a statistical parametric technique, the assumption of normality was verified by the
Kolmogorov-Smirnov test. Students unpaired t-tests were used to compare subjectscharacteristics
between the two training groups before the taper period. Differences between groups and within groups
over time were analysed using a 22 (grouptime) repeated-measures ANOVA with main effects for
group and time, and a grouptime interaction. Assumptions were checked using Levene tests (equality
of within-group variances), Box M tests (equality of within group covariance matrices). Within group
changes from pre- to post-tapering were also examined using t-tests for dependent measures. Statistical
significance was set at p<.05. Data are presented as means SE.

Results
All subjects completed the 10 week training period and data from all subjects were included in the
analyses.

Table 1: Values for maximal aerobic power (VO2max ), total sprint time (TT), fatigue index (FI), and peak
blood lactate concentration ([Lac]peak) achieved during RAST in the taper (T) and control (C) groups
at the start of the study

Group
T C
Age (yr) 22.55 2.01 21.22 1.39
Height (cm) 178.22 3.06 178.34 3.70
129 Hojatollah Nikbakht, Saeed Keshavarz and Khosrow Ebrahim
Table 1: Values for maximal aerobic power (VO2max ), total sprint time (TT), fatigue index (FI), and peak
blood lactate concentration ([Lac]peak) achieved during RAST in the taper (T) and control (C) groups
at the start of the study - continued

Weight (kg) 73.37 4.17 73.58 4.26

VO2max (ml.kg-1.min-1) 49.88 2.31 50.22 2.33
TT (s) 33.26 1.83 33.00 1.71
FI (%) 6.2 2.1 6.04 2.3
[Lac]peak (mmole.L-1) 11.30 0.95 11.32 0.98
Values are means SD; n=9 subjects per group.

Changes in, TT, FI, [Lac]peak, and maximal aerobic power of the two groups in pre- and post-
tapering period are summarized in Table 2.TT decreased significantly over time in T (P=0.004) but not
in C (P = 0.082); the decrease in TT was significantly greater in T compared to C (P = 0.010). FI
decreased significantly over time in T (P = 0.005) but not in C (P = 0.104); the decrease in FI was not
significantly greater in C compared with that of C (P = 0.054). [Lac]peak increased significantly over
time in T (P=0.005) but not in C (P = 0.082); the increase in [Lac]peak was significantly greater in T
compared to C (P= 0.010).
Maximal aerobic power was the same before and after the taper period in both T (54.80 1.93
vs. 54.50 1.26 ml.kg-1.min-1; P=0.169) and C (54.221.48 vs. 53.881.76 ml.kg-1.min-1; P=0.08).
Table 2: Pre-tapering vs. post-tapering values for maximal aerobic power (VO2max ), total sprint time (TT),
fatigue index (FI), and peak blood lactate concentration ([Lac]peak) achieved during RAST in the
taper (T) and control (C) groups

T group (N=9) C group (N=9)

post-tapering post-tapering
Pre-tapering Pre-tapering
Weight (kg) 72.37 4.04 72.39 4.12 72.56 3.61 72.52 3.91
VO2max (ml.kg-1.min-1) 54.80 1.93 54.50 1.26 54.221.48 53.881.76
TT (s) 32.52 1.57 31.17 1.66* 32.42 1.56 32.41 1.58
FI (%) 5.9 2.13 5.7 2.02* 5.8 2.12 5.8 2.14
[Lac]peak (mmole.L-1) 11.74 0.96 11.85 0.95* 11.700.90 11.700.86
Values are means SE.* Significant difference from pretaper period value, P < 0.05. Significant difference from C group,
P < 0.05.

Discussion
The major findings of the present study were that 2 wk of reduced volume training in male collegiate
soccer players led to improved TT, FI, and [Lac]peak. In addition, despite a 50% reduction in the total
amount of training volume, levels of VO2max were maintained. These findings demonstrate that
tapering can improve RSA while maintaining adaptations gained from previous training.
The present findings showed that following the taper, improvements of T in TT compared with
pre-tapering and C group were significant. This improvement in TT appeared to be attributable to an
improved ability to maintain sprint performance during the RAST. Significant decrease in FI across the
six sprints following the taper in T support this. This is in line with studies of Bishop and Edge (2005)
suggesting that the 10-day taper in female soccer players was associated with a significant decrease in
work decrement during the RAST.
The better TT and FI, together with greater [Lac]peak in T, may related to the increase of the
buffering capacity (Laursen and Jenkins, 2002) or/and muscle glycogen concentration (Balsom et al.,
1999) along with increasing the activity of anaerobic enzymes that have been shown increase during
taper periods by several studies (Coutts et al., 2007). However, it has been reported that glycogen
breakdown during brief, high intensity exercise is independent of starting levels (Vandenberghe et al.,
1995). Therefore, an increase in muscle glycogen is unlikely to benefit the brief repeated-sprint
performance assessed in the present study. Therefore, post taper increase in [Lac] may due to an
increase in the buffering capacity and/or activity of glycolytic enzymes that result in delayed fatigue
The Effects of Tapering on Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) and
Maximal Aerobic Power in Male Soccer Players 130

and better performance during RAST. It should be noted that during RAST, any fatigue may not
manifest itself during one bout of 35-m sprinting but may become apparent during the subsequent
bouts. So, improvement of TT and SD without FS alternation is not surprising.
Another candidate to explain the greater in [Lac]peak following taper during the RAST might be
the greater force productions capabilities of legs (Hirvonen et al., 1987; Gaitanos et al., 1993; Bishop
and Edge, 2006). In fact, tapering has the potential to improve muscular power, specifically when
maintaining training intensity along with sufficient reduction in training volume (Costill et al., 1991;
Johns et al., 1992). Some studies have shown that improvements in tapered athletes are linked more
closely to neuromuscular (Mujika, 1998; Raglin et al., 1996) and specific muscular changes than to
change in metabolic process (Houmard and Johns, 1994; Johns et al., 1992; Pelayo et al., 1996;
Shepely et al., 1992).
As known muscular strength (Kin-Islera et al., 2008) and neuromuscular activation of the
contracting musculature (Mendez-Villanueva et al., 2008; Kinugasa et al., 2004; Racinais et al. 2007)
are important factors that have a major role in anaerobic performance because with increased muscular
strength the ability of muscles to generate muscular contraction in short-term high intensity activity
also increases (Kin-Islera et al., 2008). Enhancement of TT and SD after tapering in the T group may
therefore be, at least partly, related to improved strength.
It has also been suggested that aerobic fitness can influence anaerobic performance during
sustained intermittent activities (Paliczka et al., 1987; Slaughter et al., 1988; Tomlin and Wenger,
2001) and some authors have reported significant correlations between the two (Dawson et al., 1993),
but others have failed to do so (Wadley and Rossignol, 1998). Gaitanos et al. (1993) have suggested
that the aerobic energy system was more important (compared with glycolysis) in power output
maintenance during a long series of repeated sprints. They speculate that contribution of the aerobic
system to ATP resynthesis was more significant when more repetitions were performed. Therefore, one
possible reason for improved RSA test results without changing VO2max is that the protocol used in the
present study contributed low number of runs (6 35) and short rest intervals (10 s).
Our results contrast with studies that have reported VO2max enhancements in cyclists
(Jeukendrup et al., 1992; Neary et al. 2003a , 2003b) and well trained triathletes (Banister et al., 1999;
Margaritis et al., 2003; Zarkadas et al., 1995). However, unchanged VO2max values as a result of a taper
did not preclude runners (Houmard et al., 1994; Shepley et al., 1992) and swimmers ((D'Acquisto et
al., 1992) from improving their performance.
A plausible explanation for unchanged VO2max in the present study might be due to subjects
characteristics. Subjects of the present study are played at the university level and at least 3 mo before
the start of the study had not regular intense training. However, most of studies reported VO2max
enhancements had well-trained subjects (Jeukendrup et al., 1992; Neary et al. 2003a; Banister et al.,
1999; Margaritis et al., 2003; Zarkadas et al., 1995). So, having low training experience might be one
of the reasons for not changing in VO2max after tapering.
Although, the results of this study should be viewed in the context of the analyzed sample
(colligate soccer players), it can be concluded that as a result of reduction of training volume, players
performed better and were able to sustain higher blood lactate concentrations in intermittent short
running test. Given the complexity of competition, and the number of psychological and physiological
variables that must come together for peak performance, the results from this investigation give insight
to the changes that occur in the anaerobic performance and VO2max that could improve performance of
soccer players following a period of taper.

Conclusion
In conclusion, the present study showed that tapering was effective in producing significant changes in
RSA by improvement of TT, FI, and [Lac]peak.
131 Hojatollah Nikbakht, Saeed Keshavarz and Khosrow Ebrahim

Acknowledgements
The authors of the present study would like to thank the soccer players participating in the study. The
excellent assistance from Dr Nader Rahnama and Dr Abbas Ali Gaeini is greatly appreciated.

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