Abstract
The aim of this study was to analyse the influence of age category on the performance and muscle response after a Repeated Sprint Ability (RSA) test in elite youth soccer players. 62 soccer players from three different age categories (Under 14 [n = 21], Under 16 [n = 20], and Under 18 [n = 21]) were selected to participate in this study. Players completed an RSA test (7 × 30 m) with a 20-s recovery between sprints. The muscular response to an electrical stimulus before and after the test of both the biceps femoris (BF) and the rectus femoris (RF) were evaluated using tensiomyography. A two-way ANOVA was used to analyse the differences in RSA parameters in each of the four distance-intervals (0–5; 5–25; 25–30; 0–30 m) between sprint and age category. The U14 age category (5.30 ± 0.30 s) showed higher mean sprint times than U16 (4.62 ± 0.20 s) and U18 (4.46 ± 0.17 s) throughout the entire test (p < 0.01). U16 players revealed a worse best sprints time (RSABEST) than U18 players (+0.12 s, CI95%: to 0.01 to 0.24; ES: 1.09, p = 0.03). The muscular contractile properties were similar in the three age categories analyzed (p > 0.05), although the delay time (Td) of the muscle was significantly lower after the RSA test in U16 players (−1.53 ms, CI95%: −2.607 to −0.452; ES: 0.38) and U18 players (−1.11 ms, CI95%: −2.10 to −0.12; ES: 0.22). In conclusion, this study revealed an increase in physical performance and muscle response variability after a repeated sprint ability test in the U16's and over. The fatigue induced by the RSA test did not show differences depending on the age of the players, although muscle mechanical properties were altered after the RSA test in U16 and U18 soccer players. Physical performance and muscle response can be complementary variables in managing fatigue according to the age category in soccer players.
Highlights
During soccer practice, several capacities such as cardiovascular endurance and the ability to perform repeated sprint actions have shown to be decisive for players’ performance (Rampinini et al, 2007)
The repeated sprint ability (RSA) test results showed better sprint times in the U16 and U18 players in comparison with the U14 players in all the analyzed distance intervals (Figure 1, p < 0.05), the size of the difference was higher between the U14 and U18 players
The results after the RSA test in the rectus femoris (RF) revealed a significant reduction in the Td in U16 players (−1.53 ms, CI95%: −2.607 to −0.452; effect size (ES): 0.38, p = 0.006) and U18 players (−1.11 ms, CI95%: −2.10 to −0.12; ES: 0.22, p = 0.03), as well as a lower Dm in U16 players after the test (−1.82 mm, CI95%: −2.89 to −0.76; ES: 0.78, p = 0.001)
Summary
Several capacities such as cardiovascular endurance and the ability to perform repeated sprint actions have shown to be decisive for players’ performance (Rampinini et al, 2007). Maturity status is a key variable in their physical outcomes, especially in relation to their physical capacities and match running performances. RSA and Youth Soccer Players (Buchheit and Mendez-Villanueva, 2014). Recent research has reported percentile values of repeated sprint performance of young soccer player classified by maturity status (Selmi et al, 2018). Recent studies have focused on the anthropometric and physical profiles (Perroni et al, 2018a; Selmi et al, 2018) but it is surprising that limited information exists on RSA in elite youth soccer players (Mujika et al, 2009), about muscle responses of the players
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
