Abstract
The aim of this investigation was to provide anthropometric, physical and physiological performance characteristics of Tunisian young soccer players and to examine the relationship between selected parameters according to their playing standard position. One hundred under 13 years old (U-13) male soccer players were tested. They were classified according to their playing standard positions (goalkeeper: GK, defender: DF, midfield: MF, and forward: FW). Testing consisted of anthropometric measurements including weight, height, and body mass index, and performance measures of speed (5, 15, and 20 m), agility run (Agility-15 m and Ball-15 m), vertical jumping, ball shooting, and aerobic capacity (Hoff Dribble Test and Yo-Yo intermittent Endurance Run, YYIER). GK were taller and heavier than other players. Significant differences of playing positions for the majority of the physical tests include 20 m sprint, Agility-15 m and Ball-15 m times (all p p p p p p < .01). Multiple regression analyses showed that weight and height were the most significant predictors of 20 m sprint time and the YYIER distance, respectively. In conclusion, performance abilities between positions in young soccer players appear to be different. Anthropometry can discriminate physical capacities and soccer skills providing a scientific rational behind the coaches’ practice of selecting young soccer players.
Highlights
Soccer is the most popular worldwide sport which is characterized by high intensity, short-term actions and pauses of varying length (Stroyer, Hansen, & Klausen, 2004)
The aim of the present study was to describe anthropometric, physical and physiological performance characteristics of Tunisian football players under 13 years old and to examine the relationship between selected parameters according to their playing standard position
The subjects’ age, anthropometric and physical performance data are summarized in Table 1, and significant differences between groups are indicated
Summary
Soccer is the most popular worldwide sport which is characterized by high intensity, short-term actions and pauses of varying length (Stroyer, Hansen, & Klausen, 2004). It is evident from the foregoing that most research has focused either on amateur players or professional players on the senior which pushed us to work with young footballers aged under 13, pre-pubescent age. Information in this regard may be helpful to trainers and strength conditioning coaches for enhancing players’ specific performance and talent selection. The aim of the present study was to describe anthropometric, physical and physiological performance characteristics of Tunisian football players under 13 years old and to examine the relationship between selected parameters according to their playing standard position
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