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This study examines the effects of a twelve-week strength training program on physical fitness and hormonal responses in young female soccer players.

July 8, 2026Open Access

Physical fitness and hormonal responses to strength training in adolescent elite female soccer players

Puntos clave

This study examines the effects of a twelve-week strength training program on physical fitness and hormonal responses in young female soccer players.
Twenty-four elite young female soccer players aged 15.3 ± 0.9 years were randomly assigned to strength training or control group.
Strength training was conducted twice per week for twelve weeks, assessing various physical performance parameters pre- and post-training.
Hormonal markers were measured using blood samples before and after the intervention.
Significant improvements observed in muscle strength (p = 0.046, d = 0.59), vertical jump (p = 0.007, d = 1.28), and soccer-specific performance (p < 0.001, d = 2.67) in the strength training group.
No significant changes were found in hormonal markers (testosterone, cortisol, growth hormone, IGF-1; p > 0.05).

Resumen

Abstract Background It is well-established that strength training (ST) improves physical fitness in young athletes. However, its specific effects on hormonal changes in female soccer players are unresolved. Objectives We examined the influence of a twelve-week ST program conducted twice per week on soccer-related measures of physical fitness and hormonal profiles in adolescent elite female soccer players. Methods Twenty-four elite young female soccer players aged 15.3 ± 0.9 years (body-mass-index BMI: 20.8 ± 1.9 kg/m²) and Tier 4 training and performance caliber participated in this study. Players were randomly assigned to either an ST group (STG, n = 12) or an active control group (CG, n = 12). Several parameters were determined pre- and post-training including absolute and relative to kg body mass 1-RM in bench/leg press, countermovement jump (CMJ), linear sprint speed (5-m, 10-m, 30-m sprints), speed of changing directions (T-test with and without ball), sport-specific efficiency (Yo-Yo Intermittent Level1 YYIRTL1) and repeated shuttle sprint ability (RSSA). Cortisol (C), testosterone (T), growth hormone (GH), and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) were assessed using blood samples collected after 12 h of fasting, before and after the ST program. Results No significant baseline between-group differences were observed. Statistically significant group-by-time interactions were found for muscle strength measures (e.g., relative 1-RM leg press, p = 0.046, d = 0.59), vertical jump performance (e.g., CMJ, p = 0.007, d = 1.28), and soccer-specific performance (e.g., RSSA Mean , p 0.05). Conclusion While the ST program significantly improved physical fitness in adolescent female Tier 4 soccer players, no substantial changes were observed in hormonal markers. These findings suggest that ST-related physical adaptations observed in this population may not be directly linked to the hormonal markers measured in this study. Trial registration Clinical trial number PACTR202504552619186 https://pactr.samrc.ac.za/Search.aspx Date of registration: 14/04/2025. “Retrospectively registered” Our study adheres to CONSORT guidelines.

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