scholarly journals Does Early Recruitment Predict Greater Physical Performance in Academy Soccer Players?

Sports ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 108 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maxime Hertzog ◽  
Darren Paul ◽  
George Nassis ◽  
Joao Silva
Keyword(s):  
Performance Improvement ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Repeated Measurements ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Time Analysis ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Training Process ◽  
Academy Training ◽  
Early Recruitment

The purpose of this longitudinal study was to investigate whether recruitment status influences neuromuscular and endurance performances in academy soccer players over a 2-year training period (from Under-16 to Under-18). Thirty-seven male soccer players from an elite academy were selected and divided in two cohorts according to their recruitment status: Early Recruitment group (ER; n = 16), training and competing for the academy since Under-14 and Under-15 age groups, and; Late Recruitment group (LR; n = 21) included in the academy training process at Under-16. Squat (SJ) and countermovement jump with (CMJwA) and without arms swing (CMJ), 10-m sprint time, and Vam-Eval test (MAV) were performed in three successive occasions always pre-season (Under-16, Under-17 and Under-18 age groups, T1, T2, and T3 respectively). A two-way (recruitment status × time) analysis of variance with repeated measurements was performed as well as the magnitude of difference using both effect size and magnitude-based inferences. There was no difference between ER and LR for MAV, 10 m-sprint, and SJ from T1 to T3. However, LR players presented non-significant small and possibly greater improvement in CMJ (ES = 0.4) and CMJwA (ES = 0.4) than ER players at T2. These data indicate that early recruitment is not likely to result in greater physical performance improvement at the age of 18.

scholarly journals Associations between Inter-Limb Asymmetries in Jump and Change of Direction Speed Tests and Physical Performance in Adolescent Female Soccer Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3474
Author(s):  
Elena Pardos-Mainer ◽  
Chris Bishop ◽  
Oliver Gonzalo-Skok ◽  
Hadi Nobari ◽  
Jorge Pérez-Gómez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Adolescent Female ◽  
Specific Training ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Change Of Direction ◽  
Percentage Difference ◽  
Hop Test ◽  
Physical Tests

The association between asymmetries in jump and change of direction (COD) with physical performance in several sports show inconclusive results. The purposes of this study were to: (1) measure inter-limb asymmetries in three distinct groups in adolescent female soccer players and, (2) to determine the association between inter-limb asymmetries and physical performance in different age groups. Fifty-four players were distributed in three age groups: U-18, U-16 and U-14. All of them performed a series of jumps, sprints and change of direction speed tests. Asymmetries were assessed as the percentage difference between limbs, with the equation: 100/Max value (right and left) * in value (right and left) * −1 + 100. Mean inter-limb asymmetries were 2.91%, 4.82% and 11.6% for 180° COD, single leg hop and single leg countermovement jump tests respectively, but higher percentages of asymmetries were observed in many players individually. U-18 and U-16 showed significant differences on 180° left COD compared to U-14. Effect size (ES): 0.80 and 0.74, respectively; U-18 presented differences on single left leg hop test compared to U-14, ES: −0.72; U-16 also showed differences on 40 m speed compared to U-14, ES 0.87 (All p < 0.05). Jumping and COD physical tests show asymmetries in adolescent female soccer players, but these asymmetries do not interfere with physical performance. The largest asymmetry was observed in the single leg countermovement jump, and no asymmetries between groups were found. Due to the high variability in the direction of asymmetries, it is recommended to consider players’ individual asymmetries for designing specific training programs.

scholarly journals Effects of Short-Term Plyometric Training on Agility, Jump and Repeated Sprint Performance in Female Soccer Players

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (5) ◽  
pp. 2274
Author(s):  
Marcin Maciejczyk ◽  
Renata Błyszczuk ◽  
Aleksander Drwal ◽  
Beata Nowak ◽  
Marek Strzała
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Sprint Performance ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Plyometric Training ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Jump Performance ◽  
Squat Jump ◽  
Repeated Sprint ◽  
Before And After

The aim of the study was to determine the effects of short-term (4 weeks, twice a week: 8 sessions) plyometric training on agility, jump, and repeated sprint performance in female soccer players. The study comprised 17 females performing this sports discipline. The players were randomly divided into two groups: with plyometric training (PLY) and the control (CON). All players followed the same training program, but the PLY group also performed plyometric exercises. Tests used to evaluate physical performance were carried out immediately before and after PLY. After implementing the short PLY training, significant improvement in jump performance (squat jump: p = 0.04, ES = 0.48, countermovement jump: p = 0.009, ES = 0.42) and agility (p = 0.003, ES = 0.7) was noted in the PLY group. In the CON group, no significant (p > 0.05) changes in physical performance were observed. In contrast, PLY did not improve repeated sprint performance (p > 0.05) among female soccer players. In our research, it was shown that PLY can also be effective when performed for only 4 weeks instead of the 6–12 weeks typically applied.

scholarly journals Relative age, maturation, anthropometry and physical performance characteristics of players within an Elite Youth Football Academy

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (6) ◽  
pp. 714-725 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rickesh Patel ◽  
Alan Nevill ◽  
Ross Cloak ◽  
Tina Smith ◽  
Matthew Wyon
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Multilevel Modelling ◽  
Age Effects ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Youth Football ◽  
Physical Performances ◽  
Novel Approaches ◽  
Level 1

A professional English football club with Category 1 academy status was investigated to determine the magnitude of relative age effects (RAE) within the club and explore between-quartile differences for somatic maturity, anthropometry and physical performances. Birth dates of 426 players from Under 9 to First Team were categorised into four birth quartiles (Q) and examined for relative age effects. Additionally, data on 382 players (Under 11 to First Team) were obtained for somatic maturity, anthropometry, countermovement jump, sprint (10 and 30 m), agility T-test and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Level 1 or 2 performance to determine between-quartile differences. Odds ratios revealed Q1 players were 6.0 times more likely to be represented than Q4 players. Multilevel modelling demonstrated between birth quartile similarities for each variable across all age groups, though there was a tendency for Q4 players to outperform Q1 players between Under 11 and Under 18 groups. Strong relative age effects exist within this club as well as a tendency to select players demonstrating advanced growth and/or maturity, with some indication that higher categorised academies in England may be at risk of amplified selection biases. Talent identification strategies in elite youth football should actively seek to adopt novel approaches to reduce selection biases and avoid wasted potential.

scholarly journals The Main and Interactive Effects of Biological Maturity and Relative Age on Physical Performance in Elite Youth Soccer Players

2020 ◽  
Vol 2020 ◽  
pp. 1-11
Author(s):  
James Parr ◽  
Keith Winwood ◽  
Emma Hodson-Tole ◽  
Frederik J. A. Deconinck ◽  
James P. Hill ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Interactive Effect ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Adolescent Male ◽  
Performance Tests ◽  
Strength Index ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Biological Maturity

The main and interactive effect of biological maturity and relative age upon physical performance in adolescent male soccer players was considered. Consistent with previous research, it was hypothesised that participants of greater maturity or born earlier in the selection year would perform better in terms of physical performance tests. This cross-sectional study consisted of 84 male participants aged between 11.3 and 16.2 years from a professional soccer academy in the English Premier League. Date of birth, height, weight, and parental height were collected. Sprint, change of direction, countermovement jump, and reactive strength index were considered for physical performance. Relative age was based on the birth quarter for the selection year. Maturity status was based upon the percentage of predicted adult height attained. Linear regression models highlighted that maturation was associated with performance on all but one of the physical performance tests, the reactive strength index. In contrast, relative age only served as a significant predictor of performance on the countermovement jump. This study indicated that physical performance (in the tests studied) seems to be related to the biological maturity status of a player but not their relative age. This finding is important because it suggests that early-maturing players perform better in the majority of physical performance tests, and the commonly held belief that relative age effect influences performance may be overstated.

Effects of Age on Match-related Acceleration and Deceleration Efforts in Elite Soccer Players

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Miguel Lorenzo-Martínez ◽  
Francisco J. Corredoira ◽  
Carlos Lago-Peñas ◽  
Roberto López-Del Campo ◽  
Fabio Nevado-Garrosa ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Tracking System ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Strength And Conditioning ◽  
Maximum Acceleration ◽  
Multiple Camera ◽  
Professional Soccer ◽  
Age Related ◽  
Acceleration And Deceleration

AbstractThe aim of this study was to examine the effects of chronological age on acceleration and deceleration match performance in professional soccer players. A total of 5317 individual match observations were collected on 420 professional players competing in the Spanish LaLiga during the 2018–2019 season, using a multiple-camera computerised tracking system (TRACAB; ChyronHego, Melville, NY, USA). Players were classified using a k-means cluster analysis into four different age groups: 17–23 years, 24–27 years, 28–30 years, and 31–38 years. Linear mixed models were adjusted to compare the players’ match performance according to their age group and playing position (central defenders, external defenders, central midfielders, external midfielders, and forwards). The results showed that players aged between 31–38 years performed a significantly less total number of accelerations (ES=0.30–0.48) and decelerations (ES=0.29–0.49) in comparison with younger players. These age-related physical performance declines were more pronounced among central defenders, central midfielders, and forwards. However, no significant effects were obtained for players’ maximum acceleration and deceleration capacities. The current findings provide useful information for coaches and strength and conditioning specialists to better understand the effects of age on players’ physical performance and to develop age-tailored training programs.

Effects of Resisted Sprints With Changes of Direction Through Several Relative Loads on Physical Performance in Soccer Players

2019 ◽  
Vol 14 (8) ◽  
pp. 1022-1028 ◽  
Author(s):  
David Rodríguez-Osorio ◽  
Oliver Gonzalo-Skok ◽  
Fernando Pareja-Blanco
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Body Mass ◽  
External Load ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Change Of Direction ◽  
Before And After ◽  
Moderate Load ◽  
Run Test ◽  
Positive Effect

Purpose: To compare the effects of resisted change-of-direction (COD) movements, using several relative loads, on soccer players’ physical performance. Methods: Fifty-four male soccer players were randomly assigned to 1 of the following 3 groups, which differed only in the magnitude of the external load used during the COD training: COD training without external load (COD-0; n = 16), COD training with a 12.5% body-mass external load (COD-12.5; n = 19), and COD training with a 50% body-mass external load (COD-50; n = 19). Participants performed the specific COD training twice per week for 6 wk. Before and after the training period, a battery of tests was completed: countermovement jump, 30-m running sprint (time in 10 m [T10], 20 m [T20], and 30 m [T30]), L-run test, and V-cut test. Results: Within-group comparisons showed substantial improvements in countermovement jump and T10 (likely) in COD-0, whereas countermovement jump, T10, and T20 were substantially enhanced (possibly to likely) in COD-50. COD-12.5 induced substantial improvements in all analyzed variables (likely to most likely). Between-groups comparisons showed better effects on all analyzed variables for COD-12.5 than for COD-0 (possibly to very likely), whereas COD-50 only showed possibly better effects than COD-0 on T10. In addition, COD-12.5 induced a better effect on L-run and V-cut tests than COD-50 (possibly to likely). Conclusions: These results indicate that COD training, especially moderate load (12.5% body mass) resisted COD training, may have a positive effect on COD skills, running sprint performance, and jumping ability in young soccer players.

scholarly journals Body Physique, Body Composition, Physical Performance, Technical and Tactical Skills, Psychological Development, and Club Characteristics of Young Male Portuguese Soccer Players: The INEX Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (7) ◽  
pp. 3560
Author(s):  
Maryam Abarghoueinejad ◽  
Daniel Barreira ◽  
Cláudia Dias ◽  
Eduardo Guimarães ◽  
Adam D. G. Baxter-Jones ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Body Composition ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Physical Growth ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Youth Soccer ◽  
Age Cohorts ◽  
Biological Maturation ◽  
Age Related

Youth soccer performance is multifaceted, includes physical growth, biological maturation, and physical fitness, and is linked to the sporting environment to which the players are exposed. We aim to describe age-related associations in body physique, body composition, physical performance technical and tactical skills, psychological and club characteristics of male soccer players aged 12 to 14 years. A total of 157 male soccer players clustered into three age-cohorts (12, 13 and 14 years) were recruited from six soccer clubs. Anthropometric, body composition and body physique, biological maturation, physical performance, skill/game proficiency data, psychological characteristics, and clubs’ characteristics were collected. Group means were compared using analysis of variance and covariance. Fourteen years old players were significantly taller, heavier, leaner, faster, stronger, and technically more skilled than their younger peers (p < 0.05). Differences in physical performance and technical skills (p < 0.05) were found between age groups when adjusting for confounders of soccer training and biological maturation. No significant differences (p > 0.05) between age groups were found in psychological domains. Our findings suggest that age, biological maturation, and training volume are key factors influencing young soccer players’ performance and development. Further, clubs’ conditions provide players with ample resources for their success in training and competition.

scholarly journals Postactivation Potentiation Following Acute Bouts of Plyometric versus Heavy-Resistance Exercise in Collegiate Soccer Players

2018 ◽  
Vol 2018 ◽  
pp. 1-8 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sourabh Kumar Sharma ◽  
Shahid Raza ◽  
Jamal Ali Moiz ◽  
Shalini Verma ◽  
Irshad Husain Naqvi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Resistance Exercise ◽  
Physical Performance ◽  
Acute Effect ◽  
Muscle Performance ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Postactivation Potentiation ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Plyometric Exercise ◽  
Significant Difference ◽  
Heavy Resistance Exercise

Postactivation potentiation is referred to as an acute and temporary enhancement of muscle performance resulting from previous muscle contraction. The purpose of this study was to compare the acute effect of plyometric exercise (PLY) and heavy-resistance exercise (RES) on the blood lactate level (BLa) and physical performance. Fourteen male collegiate soccer players were randomized to perform either RES or PLY first and then crossed over to perform the opposite intervention. PLY consisted of 40 jumps, whereas RES comprised ten single repetitions at 90% of one repetition maximum. BLa and physical performance (countermovement jump height and 20-m sprint) were measured before and at 1 and 10 min following the exercise. No significant difference was observed in the BLa for both exercises (PLY and RES). Relative to baseline, countermovement jump (CMJ) height was significantly better for the PLY group after 1 min (P=0.004) and after 10 min (P=0.001) compared to that of the RES group. The 20-m sprint time was significantly better for PLY at 10 min (P=0.003) compared to that of RES. The present study concluded that, compared to RES, PLY causes greater potentiation, which leads to improved physical performance. This trial is registered with NCT03150277.

scholarly journals Maturity Has a Greater Association than Relative Age with Physical Performance in English Male Academy Soccer Players

Sports ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (12) ◽  
pp. 171
Author(s):  
John M. Radnor ◽  
Jacob Staines ◽  
James Bevan ◽  
Sean P. Cumming ◽  
Adam L. Kelly ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Performance Measures ◽  
Adult Height ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Sprint Performance ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Sprint Time ◽  
Relative Age ◽  
Professional Soccer

This study aimed to: (1) examine differences in physical performance across birth-quartiles and maturity-status, and (2) determine the relationships among relative age, maturation and physical performance in young male soccer players. The sample included 199 males aged between 8.1 and 18.9 years, from two professional soccer academies in the English Football League. Data were collected for height, weight, self-reported biological parent heights, 30 m sprint time and countermovement jump (CMJ) height. Relative age was conveyed as a decimal, while maturity status was determined as the percentage of predicted adult height (PAH). There were no significant differences in any measure between birth quartiles, however early maturers outperformed on-time and later maturers in most performance measures. Pearson-product-moment correlations revealed that maturation was inversely associated with 30 m sprint time in U12 to U16 (r = −0.370–0.738; p < 0.05), but only positively associated with CMJ performance in U12 (r = 0.497; p < 0.05). In contrast, relative age was unrelated to sprint performance and only significantly associated with superior CMJ performance in U16. This study indicates that maturity has a greater association with sprint performance than relative age in English male academy soccer players. Practitioners should monitor and assess biological maturation in young soccer players to attempt to control for the influence on physical performance, and avoid biasing selection on absolute performance rather than identifying the most talented player.

Effects of Plyometric Versus Optimum Power Load Training on Components of Physical Fitness in Young Male Soccer Players

2020 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 222-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
João Ribeiro ◽  
Luís Teixeira ◽  
Rui Lemos ◽  
Anderson S. Teixeira ◽  
Vitor Moreira ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Physical Performance ◽  
Young Male ◽  
Performance Outcomes ◽  
Soccer Players ◽  
Countermovement Jump ◽  
Squat Jump ◽  
Sprint Speed ◽  
Power Load ◽  
High Level ◽  
Training Exercises

Purpose: The current study aimed to compare the effects of plyometric (PT) versus optimum power load (OPL) training on physical performance of young high-level soccer players. Methods: Athletes were randomly divided into PT (horizontal and vertical drills) and OPL (squat + hip thrust exercises at the load of maximum power output) interventions, applied over 7 weeks during the in-season period. Squat and countermovement jumps, maximal sprint (10 and 30 m), and change of direction (COD; agility t test) were the pretraining and posttraining measured performance variables. Magnitude-based inference was used for within- and between-group comparisons. Results: OPL training induced moderate improvements in vertical squat jump (effect size [ES]: 0.97; 90% confidence interval [CI], 0.32–1.61) and countermovement jump (ES: 1.02; 90% CI, 0.46–1.57), 30-m sprint speed (ES: 1.02; 90% CI, 0.09–1.95), and COD performance (ES: 0.93; 90% CI, 0.50–1.36). After PT training method, vertical squat jump (ES: 1.08; 90% CI, 0.66–1.51) and countermovement jump (ES: 0.62; 90% CI, 0.18–1.06) were moderately increased, while small enhancements were noticed for 30-m sprint speed (ES: 0.21; 90% CI, −0.02 to 0.45) and COD performance (ES: 0.53; 90% CI, 0.24–0.81). The 10-m sprint speed possibly increased after PT intervention (small ES: 0.25; 90% CI, −0.05 to 0.54), but no substantial change (small ES: 0.36; 90% CI, −0.40 to 1.13) was noticed in OPL. For between-group analyses, the COD ability and 30-m sprint performances were possibly (small ES: 0.30; 90% CI, −0.20 to 0.81; Δ = +1.88%) and likely (moderate ES: 0.81; 90% CI, −0.16 to 1.78; Δ = +2.38%) more improved in the OPL than in the PT intervention, respectively. Conclusions: The 2 different training programs improved physical performance outcomes during the in-season period. However, the combination of vertically and horizontally based training exercises (squat + hip thrust) at optimum power zone led to superior gains in COD and 30-m linear sprint performances.

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