Changes in global self-esteem after short‐term sprint Interval training in elite soccer players

Abstract

We attempt to highlight of the effect of intensive training on global self-esteem (GSE) and relationship between specific self-esteem and anaerobic performances among the young elite soccer player. Thirty-two healthy, elite soccer men from the same 1st division club participated in this study (mean (SD) age 21.4 (0.9) years). None of the participants were participating in any other physical activity except the soccer training and the high-intensity sprint training (HIST). HIST consisted on repeated-sprint exercises performed during the warm-up period for eight-weeks (3-times a week). Before (T1) and after (T2) the HIST, all participants performed the repeated-sprint ability test (RSA) which consisted in 7x30-m runs with 30-s of active recovery. During the recovery, a French translated form of the RES 10 scale was used to determine the Global Self-Esteem (GSE) change for all participants before and after training. We observed significant (p<0.05) increase of GSE results after training for all participants. In fact, results were increased from 29.81±2.92 in T1 to 32.4±3.00 in T2. Before training and after training, the total sprint time (TT) was positively correlated to GSE (r= 0.64, p<0.01 in T1 and r= 0.66, p<0.01 in T2). In addition, the fastest time (FT) was also positively correlated to GSE before (r= 0.53, p<0.01) and after training (r= 0.45, p<0.01). Maximum speed sprint workouts are an effective way to improve anaerobic performances in elite soccer. The Short intense sprint exercise training should be integrated into the training program for development of self-esteem in young soccer.