Screening Youth Soccer Players by Means of Cognitive Function and Agility Testing

2021 ◽  
pp. 003151252110402
Author(s):  
Nicola Lovecchio ◽  
Gianluca Manes ◽  
Luca Filipas ◽  
Matteo Giuriato ◽  
Antonio La Torre ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Smartphone Application ◽  
Inhibitory Response ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Unique Combination ◽  
Simple Method ◽  
Gross Motor Skills ◽  
Youth Soccer

Talent identification in sports is a heavily debated topic. Previous studies have separately explored either executive functions or gross motor skills to predict the success of top-level soccer players or, more generally, to characterize elite performance in soccer. However, at mid-childhood, the possibility to scope sport-specific requirements remains elusive. We aimed in this study to investigate a valid and simple method of testing for a unique combination of cognitive and speed abilities for identifying promising soccer players at mid-childhood. We measured cognitive functions by means of a Stroop smartphone application and agility with a T-Drill Ball-success test, in two groups of (a) elite- ( n = 31) and (b) low-division ( n = 37) Italian 7-year-old male soccer players. We administered the tests in a randomized order to both groups. We found better inhibitory control, cognitive flexibility and soccer-specific agility in high-division versus low-division players ( p < .001). Inhibitory response and agility were positively associated with the augmented quality of the performance from low-division players to high-division players ( r = .55; p = .0001). These results suggest that, even at an early age, cognitive control together with soccer-specific skills is associated with better performance.

scholarly journals A Novel Approach for Comparison of Reception Performance in a Technique Test and Small-Sided Games

Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (5) ◽  
pp. 66
Author(s):  
Arne Sørensen ◽  
Vidar Sørensen ◽  
Terje Dalen
Keyword(s):  
Correlation Coefficient ◽  
Rank Order ◽  
Technical Skills ◽  
Quality Score ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Moderate Correlation ◽  
Technical Aspects ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Novel Approach

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the correlation between soccer players’ performance of receptions of passes in tests of both isolated technical skills and more match-realistic situations in small-sided games (SSGs). In addition, this study investigated whether the involvement in SSGs (number of receptions) correlated with the quality of receptions in the respective SSGs. The participants were 13 male outfield youth soccer players from teams in the first division of the regional U18 league. The quality of receptions was scored by educated coaches according to set criteria of performance. Statistical analyses of correlations were determined using Spearman’s rank-order correlation coefficient (rs). The main results were (1) a significant correlation in the quality of ball reception between 4vs1 SSGs and 5vs5 SSGs (rs = −0.61, p < 0.01) and (2) a trend towards moderate correlation between the quality of ball reception using a ball projection machine and 5vs5 SSGs (rs = −0.48, p = 0.10). (3) A significant correlation was found between the number of receptions in 5vs5 SSGs and the quality score of receptions in 5vs5 SSGs (rs = −0.70, p < 0.01). The trend towards moderate correlations between 5vs5 SSGs and the isolated technical reception test could imply the importance of training in the technical aspects of ball reception. Moreover, it seems as though the players with the best reception performance are the players who are most involved in SSGs, that is, having the most receptions.

Playing Position: Anthropometric and Fitness Demands in Youth Soccer

2014 ◽  
Vol 23 (3-4) ◽  
pp. 151-168
Author(s):  
Aristotelis Gioldasis ◽  
Evangelos Bekris ◽  
Ioannis Gissis
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Jump ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Other ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Running Speed ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Individualized Training ◽  
Almost All

Abstract The aim of this study was to examine the anthropometric and fitness characteristics of soccer players with different positional role. Although, players’ skills are not equally distributed in each position, at elite soccer they have to perform each skill at a sufficient level. However, coaches expertise those from an early age in specific positions without giving them an holistic individualized training. In the study participated 312 Greek players aged 6 to 17 (M= 11.89; SD= 2.33) of 5 age groups (group U7-U8; group U9-U10; group U11-U12; group U13-U14; group U15-U16; group U17). Anthropometric (height, weight, body mass index and body fat) and fitness characteristics (flexibility, vertical jump, running speed, agility and VO2max) of participants were measured. The study showed that goalkeepers and central defenders tend to perform worse than players of the other positional groups in most of their fitness characteristics for almost all the age groups. Furthermore, many tendencies were observed in anthropometric and fitness characteristics between players with different positional roles. This study provides suggestions to coaches regarding their practice of positioning players according to their anthropometric and fitness characteristics for a short term success.

scholarly journals The effects of positional role on tactical behaviour in a four-a-side small-sided and conditioned soccer game

Kinesiology ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 51 (2) ◽  
pp. 261-270 ◽  
Author(s):  
Guilherme Machado ◽  
Maickel Bach Padilha ◽  
Sixto González Víllora ◽  
Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽  
Israel Teoldo
Keyword(s):  
Team Cohesion ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Soccer Game ◽  
Similar Quantity ◽  
Analyse Data

In soccer, different tactical behaviours of individuals are necessary to perform well as a team. The demands put on players from different positional roles can be manipulated in training through small-sided and conditioned games and tactical behaviours might be stimulated. The aim of this study was to assess the effects of positional role in tactical behaviour of U-17 youth soccer players based on core tactical principles in a four-a-side small-sided and conditioned game. The sample was comprised of 268 U-17 youth Brazilian soccer players. They were of five positional roles: centre backs; fullbacks; defensive midfielders; offensive midfielders; and forwards. The instrument used to collect and analyse data was the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT). Results revealed that players of different positional roles showed no differences in the quantity of tactical actions performed. Moreover, forwards showed lower quality of tactical behaviour in the defensive phase (M=69.1, SD=16.0; p&lt;.05) compared to fullbacks (M=77.0, SD=13.1; p&lt;.05) and worse in actions far from the ball that ensured team cohesion in the defensive phase (M=69.7, SD=22.8; p&lt;.05) compared to fullbacks (M=80.1, SD=18.4; p&lt;.05). This study showed that the four-a-side format allows U-17 players to perform a similar quantity of tactical actions regardless of their positional role, but the player’s positional role influence quality of their tactical behaviour. Therefore, this structure might be used for trainings that promotes similar tasks and stimuli for players’ development that do not focus on specific tactical roles.

Gross Motor Skills in Children with Cerebral Palsy and Intellectual Disability

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Aleksandra Djuric-Zdravkovic ◽  
Dijana Perovic ◽  
Biljana Milanovic-Dobrota ◽  
Mirjana Japundza-Milisavljevic
Keyword(s):  
Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Intellectual Disability ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Motor Development ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Gross Motor Skills ◽  
Object Control ◽  
Children With Cerebral Palsy ◽  
Intellectual Capacity

Abstract Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the connection of gross motor skills (locomotor skills and object control) and the degree of associated intellectual disability (ID) in children with cerebral palsy (CP). Participants and methods The study sample included 54 children with CP and associated ID age 5 years to 6 years and 11 months. For the assessment of tested skills, The Gross Motor Function Classification System-Expanded and Revised (GMFCS-E&R), Wechsler Preschool and Primary Scale of Intelligence-Fourth Edition (WPPSI-IV) and Test of Gross Motor Development Second Edition (TGMD-2) were used. Results The results of this study indicate better quality of locomotor skills than object control skills in children with CP and associated ID. Children with CP and mild ID have better quality of locomotor skills and object control, than children with CP and moderate ID. Differences between these 2 groups of children are presented relative to GMFCS-E&R levels. Conclusion This study has determined significant interconnection of the quality of gross motor functions and intellectual capacity in preschool children with CP. This should be considered when creating more detailed individual developmental rehabilitation plan in children with CP and associated ID and predict adequate measures of developmental stimulation.

scholarly journals BERMAIN SEPEDA UNTUK MELATIH KEMAMPUAN MOTORIK KASAR ANAK USIA 5-6 TAHUN

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 119-125
Author(s):  
Mahkamah Brantasari
Keyword(s):  
Motor Skills ◽  
Physical Activities ◽  
Physical Growth ◽  
Early Age ◽  
Motor Ability ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Gross Motor Skills ◽  
Direct Observations

Playing A Bike To Train The Rude Motor Ability Of Children Age 5-6 Years Old. During the Covid-19 pandemic, children with active characteristics will of course feel bored with games in the house that are less free. And children feel limited in exploring physical activities related to gross motor skills. Children at an early age are very important to carry out physical movements with the aim of stimulating the physical growth of children's motor skills, both fine and gross motor skills. To make children excited about doing physical activities, one of them is by inviting them to ride bikes together. In a joint cycling situation, direct observations can be made and also ask what children feel when playing a bicycle, the research conducted by the author uses a case study of a child aged 5-6 years who plays a two-wheeled bicycle with a focus on training the child's gross motor skills. , namely by locomotor, non-locomotor, and manipulative movements. From what has been done during the activity of playing bicycles, all of the movements made by children when playing bicycles have all referred to the gross motor skills of children, especially children aged 5-6 years.

scholarly journals IMPROVING THE UNDERSTANDING OF ELEMENTARY SCHOOL PHYSICAL EDUCATION TEACHERS ON THE USE OF TGMD-2

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Djoko Nugroho ◽  
Baskoro Nugroho Putro ◽  
Hanik Liskustyawati ◽  
Sri Santoso Sabarini ◽  
Sunardi Sunardi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Elementary School ◽  
Physical Education ◽  
Elementary School Students ◽  
Motor Skills ◽  
Percentage Increase ◽  
School Students ◽  
Gross Motor ◽  
Gross Motor Skills ◽  
Test Instrument

Physical education, sports, and health teachers at elementary schools are obliged to teach their students about the correct basic movements. The basic movements that become the material for elementary school students are part of gross motor skills. The correct movement can be known well if the assessment is based on the process of the movement. The gross motor quality of students can be known by using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2). TGMD-2 is a gross motor skill test instrument for children from 3 to 9 years of age. This age range still represents elementary school students in grades 1 to 3. The assessment on the TGMD-2 is based on the correctness of the students’ movements. Assessment based on the correct movement requires intensive mentorship so that teachers can understand the use of test instrument indicators. The mentorship lasted for 8 hours per day with practical material. The implementation of practice-based mentorship provides real experience for teachers in implementing TGMD-2. After undergoing mentorship activities, 88% of teachers have a percentage increase in test results above 90%. This increase shows the potential for successful use of TGMD-2 independently by the teacher and can improve the quality of the assessment of gross motor skills carried out by the teacher.

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