Leg strength problems

[lucad11]

Hi everyone,


I have had a problem for years now and i'm not too sure what to do. The problem is that my legs constantly go weak when im playing football and turn to jelly which makes it difficult to do anything sharply and be strong on my feet. I can run at one pace for as long as i like but as soon as i am given a set of sprints or an exercise with short sprints and turning in training my legs will turn to jelly and be weak for the rest of the session. I dont have any noticeable discomfort apart from my kidneys/lower back ache a little during the session, the best way to explain the feeling is as though you have run a very long distance and you try to sprint the last 100m and you feel like you're running on air.

I have done a lot of core work and make sure i eat well but in the gym i notice my core and stomach shaking when coming back down during sit ups.

Does anyone have any advice so that i can play a full match for once!

Thank you for any help you have!

[Heidi]

Agreed, especially as you mention some mild lower back pain. There could certainly be a link there.

[lucad11]

Its more to do with intensity than distance but say im running shuttles i.e. sprint to first cone and back, then second cone and back and so on...Just a couple of runs of these tire my legs like anyone else except i'll feel wobbly for the rest of the session.

I have seen numerous specialists because i also used to get cramp and tightness in my calfs which i had an operation for called compartmental syndrome. The people i have seen hoped it would sort all my issues out, it has helped a lot as i never get cramp or tightness now i just get this feeling of running on air after an intense exercise and my balance becomes weak and i can be knocked off the ball easily.

Could it be a muscle strength issue i could work on?