Abstract
The aim of this study was twofold: 1) To compare players’ physical performance and small-sided game (SSG) external responses among three young soccer age categories (i.e., under 14 (U14), under 16 (U16), and under 18 (U18)); and 2) to examine their relationships among physical performance and SSG external responses in each age category. Players’ physical performance was evaluated via several tests and external responses were collected during a four vs. four plus goalkeepers SSG. Main results showed that while older players presented better linear straight sprinting tests (LSSTs) (U18 and U16 vs. U14, p < 0.01), repeated sprint ability (RSA) (U18 vs. U16 and U14 p < 0.01), and change of direction ability (CODA) (U18 and U16 vs. U14, p < 0.01, ES = 2.34−2.72) performances, these differences were not consistent with their SSG external responses (U16 vs. U14, p < 0.01; U18 vs. U16, p < 0.01). Conversely, higher number of associations between players’ physical performance and SSG external responses were found in younger players in comparison to the older ones. These results suggest that while greater physical performance in younger players (i.e., U14) could allow them to exhibit higher external responses, greater physical performance did not influence older players’ (i.e., U18) SSG external responses.
Highlights
Soccer practice imposes high physical demands on players, in terms of total distance covered at high-running velocities (i.e., >21 km·h−1) and specific short-term and high-intensity actions, which could be a key factor to successfully developing soccer competence [1]
U14 players obtained the worst performance for the linear straight sprinting tests (LSST) (p < 0.01; effect size (ES) = 1.32–4.54), repeated sprint ability (RSA) (p < 0.01; ES = 2.66–3.89) and change of direction ability (CODA) (p < 0.01; ES = 2.34–2.72) in comparison with U16 and U18 players
A higher number of associations between players’ physical performance and small-sided game (SSG) external responses were found in younger players in comparison to the older ones
Summary
Soccer practice imposes high physical demands on players, in terms of total distance covered at high-running velocities (i.e., >21 km·h−1) and specific short-term and high-intensity actions, which could be a key factor to successfully developing soccer competence [1]. Literature has highlighted the importance of the experience and/or age of the players during match-play due to its influence over match-play external responses [2]. Some studies have shown that older youth players (i.e., under 16 (U16)–under 18 (U18)) covered significantly more distance and distance at high speeds in comparison with younger players, in youth soccer academies [7]. In this sense, Saward et al [8] reported that under 9–12 players (U9–U12) covered a total distance per minute lower than 100 m·min−1, while under 13–14 players (U13–U14) covered around 110 m·min−1 and under 15–18 players (U15–U18) covered 110–116 m·min-1 during matches. Taking into account that age could modify external responses across categories, it seems necessary to organize training stimuli across soccer age categories in order to minimize the impact of soccer competition and, to establish the appropriate recovery strategies to optimize athletes’ physical performance [7]
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