Reverse nordic exercise as a strategy to enhance performance in young soccer players

Abstract

This study examined the effects of an eight-week reverse nordic eccentric training program, compared with regular training alone, on physical fitness and inter-limb asymmetry in male youth soccer players. Twenty-five players were randomly assigned to a reverse Nordic exercise group (n = 13) or an active control group (n = 12). Significant group × time interactions, indicating greater improvements in the reverse nordic exercise group compared with the CG for the 10-m sprint (F = 13.18, p < 0.001, ES = 1.51), 505 CoD performance (F = 18.14, p < 0.001, ES = 1.67), CMJ (F = 20.15, p < 0.001, ES = 1.87), SJ (F = 17.58, p < 0.001, ES = 1.75), DJ-30 (F = 12.83, p = 0.002, ES = 1.49), dominant-leg single-leg hop performance (F = 32.60, p < 0.001, ES = 2.38), and non-dominant-leg single-leg hop performance (F = 25.36, p < 0.001, ES = 2.09). Post hoc analyses showed that improvements were confined to the Reverse Nordic exercise group, with gains in 10-m sprint, 505 CoD, CMJ, SJ, DJ-30, and dominant- and non-dominant-leg hop performance (ES = 0.63–2.52; all p < 0.001).In contrast, no significant pre-to-post changes were observed in the CG. Furthermore, no significant group × time interaction was observed for 20-m sprint performance (F = 0.44, p = 0.51, ES = 0.28) or inter-limb asymmetry (F = 0.41, p > 0.05, η² = 0.27). In-season Reverse Nordic training improved key physical performance measures but did not outperform regular soccer training in reducing inter-limb asymmetry.