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 Short-Term Compound Training on Physical Performance in Young Soccer Players

Sports ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (8) ◽  
pp. 108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Athos Trecroci ◽  
Marco Duca ◽  
Damiano Formenti ◽  
Giampietro Alberti ◽  
F. Marcello Iaia ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Vertical Jump ◽  
The Other ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Plyometric Training ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Squat Jump ◽  
Change Of Direction ◽  
Compound Training ◽  
Strength Exercises

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a five-week compound training (with strength and plyometric exercises performed on separate days) on sprint, change of direction, and vertical jump in young soccer players. Eighteen novices in strength and plyometric training were assigned to either a compound training (CMPT) or a control condition (CNT). Both groups trained three times per week. One session was dedicated to soccer-specific drills. The other two weekly sessions were dedicated to circuit-based training routines employing on one-day strength exercises and on the other day plyometric exercises in the CMPT group. At the same time, the CNT group performed two weekly soccer-specific training sessions. All players were tested by 15-m sprint, change-of-direction and acceleration test (CODAT), squat jump, and countermovement jump with arms swing tests. CMPT group improved CODAT, squat jump and countermovement jump to a higher extent compared to CNT group (large vs small or trivial effects, p < 0.05), while both groups had similar 15-m sprint performance (p > 0.05). These results support the use of compound training to improve change of direction and vertical jump performances in young novice soccer players, which are unfamiliar with structured and advanced strength and plyometric training.

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 Fundamental Tactical Principles of Soccer: a Comparison of Different Age Groups

2017 ◽  
Vol 58 (1) ◽  
pp. 207-214 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paulo Henrique Borges ◽  
José Guilherme ◽  
Leandro Rechenchosky ◽  
Luciane Cristina Arantes da Costa ◽  
Wilson Rinadi
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Progressive Increase ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Study Analysis ◽  
Cohen’S Kappa ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Cohen's Kappa

AbstractThe fundamental tactical principles of the game of soccer represent a set of action rules that guide behaviours related to the management of game space. The aim of this study was to compare the performance of fundamental offensive and defensive tactical principles among youth soccer players from 12 to 17 years old. The sample consisted of 3689 tactical actions performed by 48 soccer players in three age categories: under 13 (U-13), under 15 (U-15), and under 17 (U-17). Tactical performance was measured using the System of Tactical Assessment in Soccer (FUT-SAT). The Kruskal Wallis, Mann-Whitney U, Friedman, Wilcoxon, and Cohen’s Kappa tests were used in the study analysis. The results showed that the principles of “offensive coverage” (p = 0.01) and “concentration” (p = 0.04) were performed more frequently by the U-17 players than the U-13 players. The tactical principles “width and length” (p < 0.05) and “defensive unit” (p < 0.05) were executed more frequently by younger soccer players. It can be concluded that the frequency with which fundamental tactical principles are performed varies between the gaming categories, which implies that there is valuation of defensive security and a progressive increase in “offensive coverage” caused by increased confidence and security in offensive actions.

scholarly journals Coaches’ Evaluations of Match Performance in Academy Soccer Players in Relation to the Adolescent Growth Spurt

2020 ◽  
Vol 2 (4) ◽  
pp. 359-366 ◽  
Author(s):  
Megan Hill ◽  
Sam Scott ◽  
Darragh McGee ◽  
Sean Cumming
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Growth Spurt ◽  
Age Group ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Impact Performance ◽  
Rate Of Growth ◽  
Talent Selection ◽  
Selection Decisions ◽  
Player Performance

AbstractIndividual differences in biological maturation present challenges for coaches involved with youth soccer players. Youth in the same chronological age group vary in terms of stage of maturity (pre, circum- and post-pubescent) and rate of growth, but how this affects coaches’ evaluations of player performance is unknown. The aim of this study was to compare youth soccer coaches’ evaluations of players match performances before, during and post growth spurt in a professional English soccer academy across four seasons. Two hundred and seventy-eight male soccer players in the under-9 to under-16 age-groups had their performances evaluated by their coach on a 4-point Likert scale. For each game, players were categorised by their maturity status estimated using percentage of predicted adult height at the time of observation. A one-way ANCOVA controlling for the level of opposition and game outcome revealed that coaches’ evaluations declined from the pre- to during growth spurt stages, however, this was only significant in the under 12 age-group. Further, coaches’ evaluations increased again in the post-growth spurt stage, although only significant in the under 15 age-group. Coaches evaluations of player performance appear to vary in accordance with stage of maturity and rate of growth. Practitioners in youth soccer should understand the extent to which maturity status may adversely impact performance and consider this when making talent selection decisions.

scholarly journals Landing Error Scoring System for Screening Risk Scores among Elite-Youth Soccer Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
pp. 351
Author(s):  
Yasar Salci
Keyword(s):  
Scoring System ◽  
Cruciate Ligament ◽  
Screening Method ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Neuromuscular Control ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Risk Scores ◽  
Ligament Injury ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Anterior Cruciate

Identifying the risk of anterior cruciate ligament injury is very important for the careers of elite players. When identifying risk factors, effective, easy, valid, reliable methods applicable to a large number of participants should be used. The purpose of this study was to compare the landing pattern of elite-youth soccer players using the landing error scoring system (LESS) which is a valid and reliable qualitative screening method. 95 volunteer elite-youth soccer players (U19, U17, U16 & U15) between the ages of 14 and 18 participated in this study. Jump-landings were recorded by two camcorders from sagittal and frontal planes. These records were replayed and scored by a trained rater on LESS score sheets. There were statistically significant differences in LESS scores among the soccer age groups (p = 0.00). Post-hoc analysis demonstrated significant differences between U19 and U17 (p = 0.00), U17 and U15 (p = 0.00) and U16 and U15 (p = 0.01) soccer players. The best LESS score was found in U17 players and U15 players had the weakest score. The higher LESS score of the U15 players may be related to the neuromuscular control ability however, more evidence is needed to confirm the potential influence of age categories on LESS scores.

scholarly journals Internal, external and repeated-sprint demands in small-sided games: A comparison between bouts and age groups in elite youth soccer players

PLoS ONE ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. e0249906
Author(s):  
Richard Hauer ◽  
Paul Störchle ◽  
Bettina Karsten ◽  
Harald Tschan ◽  
Arnold Baca
Keyword(s):  
Age Groups ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Internal Load ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Training Tool ◽  
Low Intensity ◽  
Repeated Sprint ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Image Position

This study investigated the activity profile during small-sided games (SSG) in elite youth soccer players. Internal load (IL) including heart rate (HR) and external load (EL) such as distance covered in different speed-zones (SZ) were collected from forty-eight players of three different teams (U15, U16, U18). The investigation included a total of eighteen 5vs.5 SSGs, each consisting of four 2-minute bouts on a 40x32m pitch during spring season. Total group results (n = 48) showed a reduction in total-distance (p = 0.001; ηp2 = 0.12), high-intensity-running (p = 0.009; ηp2 = 0.09), and low-intensity-running distance (p = 0.028; ηp2 = 0.07) between bouts. Similarly, a reduction in the number of both acceleration-low (p = 0.001; ηp2 = 0.12) and deceleration-high (p = 0.003; ηp2 = 0.11) values was observed. Additionally, time spent in HR-zones 3 and 4 (p≤0.007; ηp2 ≥ 0.10), increased, with a reduction in HR-zone 1 (p = 0.000, ηp2 = 0.25). Age group comparison showed less distance covered in SZ 1 (p≤0.000; ηp2 = 0.56) and greater deceleration-high values (p≤0.038; ηp2 = 0.32) in U15 players compared to other age groups. Further, U15 showed lower values in low-intensity-running compared to U18 (p = 0.038; ηp2 = 0.22). No age-related differences were found for IL and repeated sprint ability (RSA) values. The higher EL in younger age groups should be taken into account when implementing soccer specific SSGs. In addition, HRmean values between 80–85% of HRmax and RSA numbers, which are similar to match-play data, indicate SSGs as an effective training tool to prepare youth soccer athletes for the demands of competition.

scholarly journals Variables Associated with Short-Term Weight Loss in a Cohort of Patients with Morbid Obesity According to Age and Three Types of Bariatric Surgery

2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (11) ◽  
pp. 3537
Author(s):  
Maria D. Alvarez-Bermudez ◽  
Flores Martin-Reyes ◽  
Luis Ocaña-Wilhelmi ◽  
Francisco J. Moreno-Ruiz ◽  
Juan Alcaide Torres ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Bariatric Surgery ◽  
Morbid Obesity ◽  
Weight Loss ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Other ◽  
Atherogenic Index ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Atherogenic Index Of Plasma ◽  
Biochemical Variables ◽  
One Year

Background The percentage of excess weight lost (%EWL) after bariatric surgery (BS) shows great discrepancies from one individual to another. Objective To evaluate the %EWL one year after BS and to determine the existence of baseline biomarkers associated with weight loss. Methods We studied 329 patients with morbid obesity undergoing three types of BS (biliopancreatic diversion (BPD), Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) and sleeve gastrectomy (SG)), depending on the %EWL one year after surgery: good responders (GR) (%EWL ≥ 50%) and non-responders (NR) (%EWL < 50%). Results The GR presented a higher percentage of change in anthropometric and biochemical variables compared to the NR group, even within each type of BS. There was a greater percentage of GR among those who underwent RYGB. The patients who underwent SG showed the lowest decrease in biochemical variables, both in GR and NR. Within the GR group, those with a lower age showed greater improvement compared to the other age groups. A %EWL ≥50% was negatively associated with the age and atherogenic index of plasma (AIP), and positively with the type of BS (RYGB). Conclusions The GR group was associated with lower age and AIP and undergoing RYGB. Additionally, those patients who underwent SG showed a lower metabolic improvement.

scholarly journals Training duration may not be a predisposing factor in potential maladaptations in talent development programmes that promote early specialisation in elite youth soccer

2018 ◽  
Vol 13 (5) ◽  
pp. 674-678 ◽  
Author(s):  
Thomas E Brownlee ◽  
Andy O’Boyle ◽  
Ryland Morgans ◽  
James P Morton ◽  
Robert M Erskine ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Training ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Talent Development ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Predisposing Factor ◽  
Match Play ◽  
Training Time ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Soccer Training

Purpose To determine whether training duration is a predisposing factor in potential maladaptations in talent development programmes that promote early specialisation in elite youth soccer. Methods Training times and type of 184 elite soccer players, from the under-9 to under-21 age groups (age 9.4 to 18.4 yrs; stature 1.38 to 1.82 m; body mass 32.2 to 76.2 kg) were recorded. Results Total training time progressively increased between the under-9 (268 ± 25 min/week) and under-14 (477 ± 19 min/week) groups with the majority of training time (96.5 ± 3.9%) consisting of soccer training and matches. Total training time then subsequently reduced from under-14 to under-15 (266 ± 77 min/week) groups, with no differences in training time between under-15 and under-21. Only under-15 to under-21 players completed resistance training; this inclusion coincided with a reduction in soccer training and match play when compared to time spent in these activities for younger groups (73.8 ± 3.2% of total training). Conclusion Data suggest that although the majority of training is focused on technical development, the training duration as a whole is unlikely to contribute to potential maladaptations in talent development programmes in elite youth soccer.

Heart-Rate Responses and Hebb-Williams Maze Performance in Three Different Age Groups of Rats

1980 ◽  
Vol 46 (1) ◽  
pp. 331-338
Author(s):  
A. Ivinskis
Keyword(s):  
Heart Rate ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
The Other ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Test Items ◽  
Radio Transmitter ◽  
Maze Test ◽  
Fm Radio ◽  
Test Retest Reliability ◽  
Problem Solving Behavior

A study was carried out to examine heart-rate changes and changes in performance levels in Hebb-Williams maze in three different age groups of rats (21, 43, and 83 days old). Heart rate was recorded using a miniature FM radio transmitter. The rats were first exposed to 6 odd Hebb-Williams maze items and were retested 12 days later using 6 even test items. The main findings were: over-all the heart rate was significantly higher in the 21-day-old group and heart rate in this group decreased during the running of the maze while it increased in the other two groups. Heart-rate responses increased as a function of trials in all the groups and increased most sharply for the 21-day-old group. On retest a significant over-all decrease occurred in the heart-rate responses. The short-term reliability of heart rate was quite high for all the age groups. The 21-day-old group rats made significantly fewer errors in the Hebb-Williams maze when compared with the two older groups but the test-retest reliability of the Hebb-Williams maze scores was very low in the 21-day group relative to the other two. The results are discussed in terms of response inhibition and changes in drive level as a function of age. Questions are also raised concerning the validity of the Hebb-Williams maze test as a measure of problem-solving behavior.

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