Sled-Pull Training Decreases Rate of Force Development in Men and Women Soccer Players

Sled-pull training is a popular training method thought to increase lower extremity strength and power in athletes. Lower extremity strength and power are factors for success in sport, particularly soccer. Asymmetry is thought to negatively impact athletes, by increasing their risk of injury, and should be the focus of any training program. PURPOSE: To determine the impact of a 12-week sled pull training intervention on isometric leg rate of force development (RFD) and RFD asymmetry. METHODS: Thirty men (n = 15; 20 ± 1.5yrs, 168.28 ± 5.17cm, 73.44 ± 3.46kg) and women (n = 15; 19.58 ± 1yr, 167.07 ± 3.81cm, 62.46 ± 8.41kg) soccer players followed a 12-week sled-pull training program with sled pulls performed at 80% body weight, three times a week for six weeks, followed by a six-week maintenance phase of sled pulls at 50% bodyweight. Isometric mid-thigh pulls were performed on force platforms to measure rate of force development pre- and post-intervention. RESULTS: Sled-pull training decreased RFD from pre- to post-training in the left leg (-137.8 ± 61.5 N/s; p = 0.03), but did not significantly change RFD in the right leg (-100.2 ± 52.6 N/s; p = 0.07). Additionally, the sled-pull intervention did not significantly change RFD asymmetry from pre- to post-training (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Sled pull training decreases the rate of force development in left leg but not the right leg in soccer athletes. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in asymmetry as a result of the training. The use of 80% body weight in sled-pull training may decrease training velocity and detrimentally impact force development.