Developmental Characteristics of Body Composition and Lower-Leg Multi-Joint Power Outputs and Sprint Ability in Junior and Youth Soccer Players

Background and Study Aim: The purpose of the study was to make an evaluation between aerobic fitnes (VO2max) and body composition in youth soccer players. Material and Methods: U19, U17, U16 and U15 age groups participated in the study. Twenty-eight U19 (average age 18,03±0,58), twenty-three U17 (average age 16,72±0,30), twenty-seven U16 (average age 15,79±0,23) and twenty-one U15 (average age 14,67±0,31) totally ninety-nine athletes voluntarily participated in the study. The subjects’ body weight and fat percentage were estimated by bioelectrical impedance. VO2max was determined by YOYO Intermittan Recovery test protocol. Shapiro-wilk test, Independent t test, hierarchical regression and analysis of covariance were used to compare the relationships between aerobic fitness and body composition. Additionally, Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to examine the relationships between variables. The level of significance for all statistics was set at p<0.05. SPSS 23 software was used to calculate the data. The total value of all estimators is f = 18,001 and p <0.0001. Results : Although all variables were included in the model, the BMI was considered the greatest explanatory factor for fatness. Aerobic endurance was assessed in direct proportion to age, sit and reach test, crunch test, plank, and long jump test. As the distance increased, the% fat ratio decreased (p <0.001), and the fat ratio decreased with the decrease in the T test (p <0.001). Conclusions: In this study, it was determined that body fat ratio determined by BMI, body fat percentage decreased with increasing aerobic endurance, body fat ratio was negatively correlated with aerobic fitness and lean body ratio. It was also determined that aerobic fitness was positively correlated with age, sit and reach, crunch test, plank, standing long jump and T test.

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Maturity Related Differences in Body Composition Assessed by Classic and Specific Bioimpedance Vector Analysis among Male Elite Youth Soccer Players

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph17030729 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 17 (3) ◽

pp. 729 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

Stefania Toselli ◽

Elisabetta Marini ◽

Pasqualino Maietta Latessa ◽

Luca Benedetti ◽

Francesco Campa

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Body Height ◽

Bioelectrical Impedance ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Vector Analysis ◽

Height Velocity ◽

Data Set ◽

Early Maturity ◽

Vector Length ◽

Youth Soccer

The aim of this study was to analyze the efficiency of classic and specific bioelectrical impedance vector analysis (BIVA) in the assessment of maturity related differences in body composition among male elite youth soccer players, and to provide bioelectrical impedance reference data for this category. A group of 178 players (aged 12.1 ± 1.6 years) were registered in a professional Italian soccer team participating in the first division (Serie A). They were divided into three groups according to their maturity status while bioelectrical resistance and reactance were obtained. The classic and specific BIVA procedures were applied, which correct bioelectrical values for body height and body geometry, respectively. Percentage of fat mass (FM%) and total body water (TBW (L)) were estimated from bioelectrical values. Age-specific z-scores of the predicted age at peak height velocity identified 29 players as earlier-, 126 as on time-, and 23 as later-maturing. TBW was higher (p < 0.01) in adolescents classified as “early” maturity status compared to the other two groups and classic BIVA confirmed these results. Conversely, no differences in FM% were found among the groups. Specific vector length showed a higher correlation (r = 0.748) with FM% compared with the classic approach (r = 0.493). Classic vector length showed a stronger association (r = −0.955) with TBW compared with specific (r = −0.263). Specific BIVA turns out to be accurate for the analysis of FM% in athletes, while classic BIVA shows to be a valid approach to evaluate TBW. An original data set of bioelectric impedance reference values of male elite youth soccer players was provided.

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Short-Term Cardiac Autonomic Recovery after a Repeated Sprint Test in Young Soccer Players

Sports ◽

10.3390/sports7050102 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 7 (5) ◽

pp. 102

Author(s):

Cesar Cavinato Cal Abad ◽

Lucas Adriano Pereira ◽

Vinicius Zanetti ◽

Ronaldo Kobal ◽

Irineu Loturco ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Time Course ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Short Term ◽

Post Exercise ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Passive Recovery ◽

Repeated Sprint Ability ◽

Repeated Sprint ◽

Mean Square Difference ◽

Sprint Ability

The aim of this study was to describe the time course (within 2 h post-exercise) of heart rate variability (HRV) recovery following a traditional repeated sprint ability (RSA) test applied to youth soccer players. Twenty-four young soccer players (18.4 ± 0.5 years) undertook the following assessments: (1) 10 min rest in the seated position for HRV assessment; (2) a repeated sprint ability (RSA) test; (3) passive recovery in the seated position for 10 min, immediately after finishing the RSA test and 1 h and 2 h post-RSA test. During the HRV measurements (using the natural log of root mean square difference of successive normal RR intervals—lnRMSSD) the participants were instructed to assume a comfortable sitting position, remaining awake and breathing spontaneously for 10 min. Magnitude-based inference was used in the analyses. After the RSA test, the post-1 h measure was almost certainly lower than the resting measure, but almost certainly higher than the lnRMSSD measured post-RSA test. The lnRMSSD post-2 h was likely lower than the resting lnRMSSD and very likely higher than post-1 h. In conclusion, lnRMSSD is severely depressed after performing an RSA test, and reactivation is incomplete after 2 h of passive recovery. This result should be considered by practitioners when applying successive training sessions within intervals shorter than 2 h.

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Reliability and Validity of a Soccer-Specific Test of Prolonged Repeated-Sprint Ability

International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance ◽

10.1123/ijspp.2.2.137 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 2 (2) ◽

pp. 137-149 ◽

Cited By ~ 17

Author(s):

Jon L. Oliver ◽

Neil Armstrong ◽

Craig A. Williams

Keyword(s):

Reliability And Validity ◽

Sprint Performance ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Average Intensity ◽

Soccer Match ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Repeated Sprint Ability ◽

Total Distance ◽

Repeated Sprint ◽

Sprint Ability

Purpose:The purpose of the study was to assess the reliability and validity of a newly developed laboratory protocol to measure prolonged repeated-sprint ability (RSA) during soccer-specific exercise.Methods:To assess reliability, 12 youth soccer players age 15.2 ± 0.3 y performed 2 trials of a soccer-specific intermittent-exercise test (SSIET) separated by 3 months. The test was performed on a nonmotorized treadmill. A separate sample of 12 youth soccer players (15.2 ± 0.3 y) completed the SSIET while simultaneously HR, VO2, and blood lactate (BLa) were monitored. The SSIET was designed to replicate the demands of competing in one half of a soccer match while sprint performance was monitored. The test included a 5-s sprint every 2 min.Results:The mean coefficient of variation was 2.5% for the total distance covered during the SSIET and 3.8% for the total distance sprinted; measures of power output were less reliable (>5.9%). Participants covered 4851 ± 251 m during the SSIET, working at an average intensity of 87.5% ± 3.2% HRpeak and 70.2% ± 3.1% VO2peak, with ~7mmol/L BLa accumulation. A significant reduction (P < .05) in sprint performance was ob served over the course of the SSIET.Conclusion:The SSIET provided a reliable method of assessing prolonged RSA in the laboratory. The distance covered and the physiological responses during the SSIET successfully recreated the demands of competing in a soccer match.

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

International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health ◽

10.3390/ijerph18073560 ◽

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.

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M. biceps femoris architecture and sprint ability in youth soccer players: a cross-sectional analysis

10.31236/osf.io/gnxhd ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Paul Ritsche ◽

Thomas Bernhard ◽

ralf roth ◽

Eric Lichtenstein ◽

Martin Keller ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Muscle Injury ◽

Biceps Femoris ◽

Sprint Performance ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Chronological Age ◽

Maximal Velocity ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Sprint Time ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Sprint Ability

Background. It has been proposed that muscle architecture can be associated with sprint performance and the risk of sustaining a muscle injury. During puberty, sprint performance as well as muscle injury risk increases in young soccer players. In this study, we investigated the changes in m. biceps femoris long head (BFlh) cross-sectional area (ACSA), fascicle length (FL) and pennation angle (PA) and sprint performance as well as their relationship in under 13 to 15 youth soccer players. Methods. In total, we measured 85 youth soccer players in under 13 (n=29, age=12.5 y (SD=0.1), height=155.3 cm (6.2), weight=43.9 kg (7.6)), under 14 (n=25, age=13.5 y (0.3), height=160.6 y (7.7), weight=47.0 kg (6.8)) and under 15 (n=31, age=14.4 y (0.3) , height=170.0 cm (7.7), weight=58.1 kg (8.8) ) teams of three high level soccer clubs. We used ultrasound to measure BFlh ACSA, FL and PA. We performed sprint tests to assess 10m and 30m sprint time, maximal velocity (vmax) and maximal acceleration (amax). We calculated Pearson’s r and 95% compatibility intervals to assess the relationship between sprint ability, maturity ratio, chronological age and architectural parameters. In addition, we calculated the best set of predictors for sprint ability using multiple regression models.Results. All muscle architectural parameters increased from the under 13 to the under 15 age group (BFlh ACSA: 37%, BFlh FL: 11%, BFlh PA: 8%). All sprint performance parameters improved from the under 13 to under 15 age categories (30m time: 7%, 10m time: 4%, vmax: 9%, amax: 7%). BFlh ACSA was correlated with 30m sprint time (r = -0.61 (95% CI = -0.73, -0.45)) and vmax (r= 0.61 (0.45, 0.72)). The correlation for maturity ratio with assessed parameters were larger compared to the correlation for chronological age. A combination of BFlh ACSA, FL, chronological age and height best predicted sprint parameters. Discussion. Parallel to improvements in sprint performance, muscle architectural parame-ters increase from the under 13 to under 15 age groups. BFlh ACSA seems to be related to sprint performance in youth soccer players. BFlh ACSA and chronological age are the main predictors of most sprint parameters.

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The effects of 14-week betaine supplementation on endocrine markers, body composition and anthropometrics in professional youth soccer players: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial

Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition ◽

10.1186/s12970-021-00417-5 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 18 (1) ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Hadi Nobari ◽

Mehdi Kargarfard ◽

Vazgen Minasian ◽

Jason M. Cholewa ◽

Jorge Pérez-Gómez

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Controlled Trial ◽

Exercise Program ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Double Blind ◽

Significant Group ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Professional Soccer ◽

Competitive Season ◽

Betaine Supplementation

Abstract Objective Betaine supplementation may enhance body composition outcomes when supplemented chronically during an exercise program. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of betaine supplementation on development-related hormones, body composition, and anthropometrics in professional youth soccer players during a competitive season. Methods Twenty-nine players (age, 15.45 ± 0.25 years) were matched based upon position and then randomly assigned to a betaine group (2 g/day; n = 14, BG) or placebo group (PG, n = 15). All subjects participated in team practices, conditioning, and games. If a subject did not participate in a game, a conditioning protocol was used to ensure workload was standardized throughout the 14-week season. Growth hormone (GH), insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), testosterone, cortisol, height, weight, and body composition were assessed at pre-season (P1), mid-season (P2) and post-season (P3). Anthropometric variables were also measured following a one-year follow-up (F). Results Significant (p < 0.05) group x time interactions were found for testosterone and testosterone to cortisol ratio (T/C). Both variables were greater in BG at P2 and P3 compared to P1, however, the testosterone was less in the PG at P3 compared to P2. There was no significant group by time interactions for GH, IGF-1, lean body mass, or body fat. There was a significant (p < 0.05) group x time interaction in height and weight at F, with the greater increases in BG compared to PG. Conclusion Betaine supplementation increased testosterone levels and T/C ratio in youth professional soccer players during a competitive season. Betaine supplementation had no negative effects on growth (height and weight) and may attenuate reductions in testosterone due to intense training during puberty.

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Exploring Relationships Between Anthropometry, Body Composition, Maturation, and Selection for Competition: A Study in Youth Soccer Players

Frontiers in Physiology ◽

10.3389/fphys.2021.651735 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 ◽

Author(s):

Filipe Manuel Clemente ◽

Cain C. T. Clark ◽

César Leão ◽

Ana Filipa Silva ◽

Ricardo Lima ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Body Composition ◽

Linear Regression ◽

Correlation Coefficients ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Leg Length ◽

Anthropometric Data ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Sitting Height ◽

Large Correlation ◽

Selection For

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to analyze variations of selection for competition between late and early mature players and test the relationships between anthropometry, body composition, maturation, and selection for competition.MethodsSeventy-nine youth soccer players from under-11 to under-14 participated in this study, over 6 months. Body composition and maturity offset were estimated based on anthropometric data collected. Participants were also monitored for their number of matches as starters and time of play accrued in minutes.ResultsMinutes played had large correlation coefficients with maturity offset (r = 0.58), and leg length and sitting height interaction (r = 0.56). Multiple linear regression explained 35% of the variation in minutes played (p < 0.001, R2 = 0.41, R2adjusted = 0.35, RMSE = 334.8), but only 12% of the variation in matches as starter (p = 0.04, R2 = 0.21, R2adjusted = 0.12, RMSE = 5.47) between above and below the median of the maturity offset was accounted for, respectively.ConclusionsAlthough maturation may play a role in the minutes of play accrued and matches as starters in young, it is not necessarily determining. A significant amount of the variation in the minutes of play accrued of players can be accounted for when considering body composition and anthropometric data.

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Relationship Between Repeated Sprint Ability, Aerobic Capacity, Intermittent Endurance, and Heart Rate Recovery in Youth Soccer Players

The Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research ◽

10.1519/jsc.0000000000002193 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 33 (12) ◽

pp. 3406-3413 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alejandro Rodríguez-Fernández ◽

Javier Sanchez-Sanchez ◽

Rodrigo Ramirez-Campillo ◽

Fábio Y. Nakamura ◽

Jose A. Rodríguez-Marroyo ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Heart Rate ◽

Aerobic Capacity ◽

Heart Rate Recovery ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Repeated Sprint Ability ◽

Repeated Sprint ◽

Sprint Ability

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Repeated Dribbling Ability in Young Soccer Players: Reproducibility and Variation by the Competitive Level

Journal of Human Kinetics ◽

10.1515/hukin-2016-0019 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 53 (1) ◽

pp. 155-166 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

João P. Duarte ◽

Óscar Tavares ◽

João Valente-dos-Santos ◽

Vítor Severino ◽

Alexis Ahmed ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Total Sample ◽

Critical Value ◽

Individual Variability ◽

Soccer Players ◽

Fatigue Index ◽

Youth Soccer ◽

Repeated Sprint Ability ◽

Repeated Sprint ◽

Composite Scores ◽

Sprint Ability

AbstractThe intermittent nature of match performance in youth soccer supports relevance of ability to repeatedly produce high-intensity actions with short recovery periods. This study was aimed to examine the reproducibility of a repeated dribbling ability protocol and, additionally, to estimate the contribution of concurrent tests to explain inter-individual variability in repeated dribbling output. The total sample comprised 98 players who were assessed as two independent samples: 31 players were assessed twice to examine reliability of the protocol; and 67 juveniles aged 16.1 ± 0.6 years were compared by the competitive level (local, n = 34; national, n = 33) to examine construct validity. All single measurements appeared to be reasonably reliable: total (ICC = 0.924; 95%CI: 0.841 to 0.963); ideal (ICC = 0.913; 95%CI: 0.820 to 0.958); worst (ICC = 0.813; 95%CI: 0.611 to 0.910). In addition, the percentage of the coefficient of variation was below the critical value of 5% for total (%CV = 3.84; TEM = 2.51 s); ideal (%CV = 3.90, TEM = 2.48 s). Comparisons between local and national players suggested magnitude effects as follows: moderate (d-value ranged from 0.63 to 0.89) for all repeated sprint ability scores; large for total (d = 1.87), ideal (d = 1.72), worst (d = 1.28) and moderate for composite scores: the fatigue index (d = 0.69) and the decrement score (d = 0.67). In summary, the dribbling protocol presented reasonable reproducibility properties and output extracted from the protocol seemed to be independent from biological maturation.

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