Effects of Dribbling Constraints on Sprint Acceleration Performance and the Force-Velocity Profile according to Playing Positions in Professional Soccer Players

This study aimed to investigate the impact of dribbling on sprint acceleration performance (sprint time) and the associated force-velocity (F-V) profile among professional soccer players across playing positions. Participants (N = 52) were categorized as central defenders (CDs), wide defenders (WDs), central midfielders (CMs), wide midfielders (WMs), and forwards (Fs). A field method based on split times measurements during 30-m sprint acceleration was used to calculate maximal theoretical force (F0) and velocity (V0), maximal power (Pmax) and the F-V slope during sprinting without the ball and while dribbling. Our study revealed a significant decline in sprint performance during dribbling. CDs and WDs exhibited higher losses in 5-m split time (T5; 19%) compared to Fs (13%) and WMs (14%). CMs displayed higher losses in 20-m split time (T20; 11%) compared to Fs (8%). Pmax and F0 significantly decreased when dribbling, with a higher decrease in Pmax experienced by CMs (33%) compared to Fs (24%) and WMs (25%). Similarly, a higher decrease was observed in F0 for CMs (29%) compared to Fs (20%) and WMs (20%). The determination coefficients between the loss in T5 and Pmax (r² = 0.54), F0 (r² = 0.62), and the loss in T20 and Pmax (r² = 0.75), F0 (r² = 0.23), and V0 (r² = 0.22) indicated substantial relationships between sprint performance decline and losses in the F-V profile. In conclusion, this study highlights how dribbling affects sprint performance and the F-V profile differently across soccer playing positions. Coaches can tailor training programs considering the constraints imposed by dribbling for effective players’ development.