Forrester PE Dept

SPEED (AND SPEED ENDURANCE)

 

Definition

Speed is the body’s ability to perform an action in a short time. Speed can be split into two categories – Whole body speed – where your whole body performs an action quickly and Limb speed – when a particular part of your body performs an action quickly. Speed Endurance is the ability to continually make fast runs over a long period time.

 

Impact on Performance

Speed is required in football when trying to beat an opponent to a 50/50 ball, to lose a defender, to get into space, to support an attack, to dribble round an opponent or to chase back and close down an attack. If you lack speed then you will be unable to maintain possession of the ball, win it back, or take on your opposite player effectively. This happens continually throughout the game as you repeatedly sprint over varied distances. Therefore speed endurance is also important because if it is poor you will be unable to maintain sprinting throughout the duration of the game. The energy required to do this is supplied anaerobically as the aerobic system is too slow to meet the energy demands. Repeated sprints results in lactic acid build up and it is this, which leads to muscle fatigue. Therefore with improved speed endurance (anaerobic endurance) the body can delay the production of lactic acid and tolerate higher concentrations of it thus delaying fatigue.