Motion Analysis of Match Play in U14 Male Soccer Players and the Influence of Position, Competitive Level and Contextual Variables.

Erling Algroy,Amund Riiser,Vidar Andersen,Hilde Stokvold Gundersen,Tone Nybakken,Atle Hole Saeterbakken,Halvard Grendstad

doi:10.3390/ijerph18147287

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate match running performance in U14 male soccer players in Norway, and the influence of position, competitive level and contextual factors on running performance. Locomotion was monitored in 64 different U14 players during 23 official matches. Matches were played at two different competitive levels: U14 elite level (n = 7) and U14 sub-elite level (n = 16). The inclusion criterion was completed match halves played in the same playing position. The variables’ influence on match running performance was assessed using mixed-effect models, pairwise comparisons with Bonferroni correction, and effect size. The results showed that the U14 players, on average, moved 7645 ± 840 m during a match, of which 1730 ± 681 m (22.6%) included high-intensity running (HIR, 13.5–18.5 km·h−1) and sprinting (>18.5 km·h−1). Wide midfielders (WM) and fullbacks (FB) covered the greatest sprint distance (569 ± 40 m) and, in addition to the centre midfield position (CM), also covered the greatest total distance (TD) (8014 ± 140 m) and HIR distance (1446 ± 64 m). Centre forwards (CF) performed significantly more accelerations (49.5 ± 3.8) compared other positions. TD (7952 ± 120 m vs. 7590 ± 94 m) and HIR (1432 ± 57 m vs. 1236 ± 43 m) were greater in U14 elite-level matches compared with sub-elite matches. Greater TD and sprint distances were performed in home matches, but, on the other hand, more accelerations and decelerations were performed in matches played away or in neutral locations. Significantly higher TD, HIR and sprinting distances were also found in lost or drawn matches. In conclusion, physical performance during matches is highly related to playing position, and wide positions seem to be the most physically demanding. Further, competitive level and contextual match variables are associated with players’ running performance.

Highlights

The findings of the present study showed that Norwegian male U14 soccer players run similar distances or more during a match compared with previous reports on U14
The group in our study covered a total distance of 109.2 m·min−1, which is higher than that of 95.7 m·min−1 reported in New Zealand U14 male soccer players [3]
Our results showed that match location influenced match running performance, as greater total distance (TD) and sprinting distance (>18.5 km·h−1 ) were performed when playing at home, even though fewer accelerations and decelerations were performed

Summary

Introduction

Several studies have described the physical demands of youth soccer [1]. Previous reports have shown that U14 players cover a total distance between 105–115 m·min−1 during a match and 11.5–14.5 m·min−1 at higher speed (13.1–19 km·h−1 ) [2,3] elite U14 players perform about 0.4 ± 0.2 sprints (speed above 25.2 km·h−1 ) [2] and. 1.82 ± 0.33 accelerations per min during a match [2,4]. There is a growing body of evidence related to the physical match characteristics of youth soccer players, very few studies have examined running performance at the U14 level in relation to high-explosive actions like sprints, accelerations and decelerations [1,5].

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