A Comparison of Physical Abilities and Match Performance Characteristics Among Elite and Subelite Under-14 Soccer Players

2013 ◽  
Vol 25 (3) ◽  
pp. 423-434 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mark Waldron ◽  
Aron Murphy

This study aimed to identify characteristics of match performance and physical ability that discriminate between elite and subelite under-14 soccer players. Players were assessed for closed performance and movement, physiological responses, and technical actions during matches. Elite players covered more total m·min−1 (115.7 ± 6.6 cf. 105.4 ± 7.7 m·min−1) and high-intensity m·min−1 (elite = 14.5 ± 2.3 cf. 11.5 ± 3.7 m·min−1) compared with subelite players. Elite players also attempted more successful (0.41 ± 0.11 cf. 0.18 ± 0.02) and unsuccessful ball retentions·min−1 (0.14 ± 0.04 cf. 0.06 ± 0.02) compared with subelite players. Elite players were faster over 10 m (1.9 ± 0.1 cf. 2.3 ± 0.2 s) and faster dribblers (16.4 ± 1.4 cf. 18.2 ± 1.1 s) compared with subelite players. Speed (10 m) and successful ball retention·min−1 contributed to a predictive model, explaining 96.8% of the between-group variance. The analysis of match performance provides a more thorough understanding of the factors underlying talent among youth soccer players.

2019 ◽  
Vol 31 (1) ◽  
pp. 85-90
Author(s):  
Heita Goto ◽  
James A. King

Purpose: The purposes of the present study were to examine high-intensity running distance during 6-a-side small-sided games (SSGs) and 11-a-side matches (11M) in youth soccer players using speed and metabolic power approaches and the magnitude of difference between the high-intensity running distance calculated with the 2 approaches. Method: A total of 11 outfield players (age = 16.3 [0.6] y) performed SSGs with 3 pitch sizes (small SSG [SSGS], medium SSG, and large SSG [SSGL]) and 11M. A Global Positioning System (15 Hz) was employed to calculate total distance covered, distance covered at a speed ≥4.3 m·s−1 (TS), and metabolic power of ≥20 W·kg−1 (TP). Results: The total distance covered increased from SSGS through to SSGL (P < .001) and was greater during 11M and SSGL compared with other SSGs (P < .01). TS and TP increased from SSGS (TS vs TP = 98 [55] vs 547 [181] m) through to SSGL (538 [167] vs 1050 [234] m; P < .001). TS and TP during 11M (370 [122] vs 869 [233] m) was greater than SSGS (P < .001 for both) and less than SSGL (P < .05 for both). The magnitude of difference between TS and TP (as a percentage) was lower with an increase in pitch size during SSGs and was greater in SSGS (615% [404%]; P < .001), medium SSG (195% [76%]; P < .05), and smaller in SSGL (102% [33%]; P < .01) compared with 11M (145% [53%]). Conclusion: SSGs can replicate the high-intensity demands of 11M and the speed approach underestimates the high-intensity demands of SSGs and 11M compared with the metabolic power approach.


2019 ◽  
Vol 03 (01) ◽  
pp. E19-E24 ◽  
Author(s):  
Svein Arne Pettersen ◽  
Tormod Brenn

AbstractIn order to investigate activity profiles and external load patterns in elite youth soccer players, we studied high-intensity activity patterns, maximum running speed, and temporary and end-of-match decline in external load in 54 U17 players (96 match observations) over a full season of official match play.Wide midfielders covered most high-intensity running (HIR) distance (1044.2 m), most sprinting distance (224.4 m), and the highest number of accelerations (185.2); center defenders had the lowest values for these activities (508.3 m, 85.1 m, and 119.0), respectively. Wide midfielders had the highest and center defenders had the lowest maximum speed (30.3 km · h − 1 and 28.6 km · h − 1), respectively. During the matches, players in all playing positions displayed a significant drop in HIR distance, sprinting distance, and number of accelerations. This was especially pronounced in the 5 min following the 5-min peak period and in the last 5-min period for sprinting distance.There are substantial differences in activity profiles by positions, but all players show temporary and end-of-match drop in external load. The variation in activity profiles by playing position in this study may aid in the design of training programs. The considerable end-of-match drop in external load observed raises the question of the favorability of 90 min match times for U17 players.


2014 ◽  
pp. 1-6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jamel Halouani ◽  
Hamdi Chtourou ◽  
Alexandre Dellal ◽  
Anis Chaouachi ◽  
Karim Chamari

2014 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 1-12
Author(s):  
Gunnar Elling Mathisen

Abstract Acceleration, sprint and agility performance are crucial in sports like soccer. There are few studies regarding the effect of training on youth soccer players in agility performance and in sprint distances shorter than 30 meter. Therefore, the aim of the recent study was to examine the effect of a high-intensity sprint and plyometric training program on 13-year-old male soccer players. A training group of 14 adolescent male soccer players, mean age (±SD) 13.5 years (±0.24) followed an eight week intervention program for one hour per week, and a group of 12 adolescent male soccer players of corresponding age, mean age 13.5 years (±0.23) served as control a group. Pre- and post-tests assessed 10-m linear sprint, 20-m linear sprint and agility performance. Results showed a significant improvement in agility performance, pre 8.23 s (±0.34) to post 7.69 s (± 0.34) (p<0.01), and a significant improvement in 0-20m linear sprint, pre 3.54s (±0.17) to post 3.42s (±0.18) (p<0.05). In 0-10m sprint the participants also showed an improvement, pre 2.02s (±0.11) to post 1.96s (± 0.11), however this was not significant. The correlation between 10-m sprint and agility was r = 0.53 (p<0.01), and between 20-m linear sprint and agility performance, r = 0.67 (p<0.01). The major finding in the study is the significant improvement in agility performance and in 0-20 m linear sprint in the intervention group. These findings suggest that organizing the training sessions with short-burst high-intensity sprint and plyometric exercises interspersed with adequate recovery time, may result in improvements in both agility and in linear sprint performance in adolescent male soccer players. Another finding is the correlation between linear sprint and agility performance, indicating a difference when compared to adults.


2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 233-245 ◽  
Author(s):  
Matthias Wilhelm Hoppe ◽  
Christian Baumgart ◽  
Mirko Slomka ◽  
Ted Polglaze ◽  
Jürgen Freiwald

Abstract This study aimed to determine the within-subject variability of GPS-derived metabolic power data in elite soccer players across several pre-season matches and compare the variability of high metabolic power, velocity, acceleration and deceleration running. Additionally, differences in metabolic power data among playing positions and relationships with various physical abilities were also investigated. Metabolic power data from 12 outfield starting players competing in the German Bundesliga were collected during five pre-season matches using GPS-technology (10 Hz). The players were also tested for speed, agility, power and intermittent endurance. Variability of global metabolic power data such as energy expenditure (CV = 2.2-7.0%) was lower than that for high-intensity including time ≥20 W·kg-1 (CV = 14.0-26.2%). Variability of high metabolic power (≥20 W·kg-1; CV = 14.1 ± 3.5%) was comparable to that of high velocity (≥15.5 km·h-1; CV = 17.0 ± 6.2%), acceleration (≥3 m·s-2; CV = 11.1 ± 5.1%) and deceleration running (≤-3 m·s-2; CV = 11.9 ± 4.5%) (p > 0.05, ES < 0.2). Defenders had a largely higher overall energy expenditure than midfielders and attackers (p < 0.01, ES > 0.6). Overall energy expenditure and cost were largely to very largely correlated with 5 m speed and 22 m agility sprint time and counter movement jump height (r = -0.70-0.69, p < 0.05). The detected variability indicates that global GPS-derived metabolic power data in elite soccer players from a single preseason match should be preferably used for practical applications. Contrary, high-intensity indicators should be interpreted cautiously and repeated match observations are recommended to establish meaningful high-intensity profiles of the players. Differences among playing positions and relationships with explosive physical abilities indicate that metabolic power analyses can provide new insights into the mechanics and energetics of soccer.


Sports ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (5) ◽  
pp. 111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Björn Kadlubowski ◽  
Michael Keiner ◽  
Hagen Hartmann ◽  
Klaus Wirth ◽  
Ulrich Frick

Change of direction (COD) is a performance-limiting factor in team sports. However, there are no exact definitions describing which physical abilities limit COD performance in soccer. Nevertheless, different COD tests are used or have been recommended as being equally effective in the professional practice of measuring COD performance. Therefore, the aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between different COD tests, and to test the independence and generalizability of these COD tests in soccer. As such, 27 elite youth soccer players were randomly recruited and were tested in different COD tests (i.e., Illinois agility test (IAT), T agility test (TT), 505 agility test (505), Gewandtheitslauf (GewT), triangle test (Tri-t), and square test (SQT)). Bivariate Pearson correlation analysis was used to assess the relationships between the COD tests. The Benjamini–Hochberg method was used to control for the false discovery rate of the study at 0.05. This investigation calculated explained variances of 10% to 55% between performances in the different COD tests. This suggested that the tests covered different aspects or task-specific characteristics of the COD. Therefore, coaches and sport scientists should review and select different tests with a logical validity, based on the requirement profiles of the corresponding sport.


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