Age And Experience Differences In Work Intensity During Soccer Matches

Abstract

PURPOSE: The purpose of this project was to compare the distribution of movement intensity for a men's under-20 (U-20) and a boy's under-12 (U-12) team.FIGUREMETHODS: Step rate data were recorded on 5 players from each team during competitive matches using StepWatch Activity Monitors. Step rates were categorized into 7 levels of intensity: Walk, Slow Jog, Fast Jog, Run, Fast Run, Sprint, and Max as a percentage of the total samples. Each level was compared between the two teams using ANOVAs. First Referees' step rates were also recorded. RESULTS: For U-12 players the step rate data showed much more time spent in recovery at low levels of intensity (Walk, Slow Jog, Fast Jog), less time spent in Run, Fast Run, and Sprint intensities, but more time at Max intensity compared to the U-20 team. The First Referees' distributions mimicked the players they were officiating. CONCLUSIONS: Data confirm that younger players are apt to run more often at maximum intensity, with more frequent low-level recovery periods. The U-20 players were able to compress their step rates to maintain a moderate to high level of activity more often but spent less time at either the slowest or fastest rates. U-20 players rarely hit top speed unless a critical play was forming that might result in a scoring opportunity in either goal. So, these more experienced players were also more likely to avoid frequent rest periods necessary after bouts of maximum speed. This is likely due to reduced fitness and ball control skills by U-12 players, and not an inability to read the development of a critical play. Coaches may want to encourage younger teams to focus more on ball control skills as it would allow these younger players to better modulate work intensity to manageable levels during soccer matches.