The Impact of Long-Term Athlete Development-Based Exercise Towards Physical Ability and Academic Achievement

Abstract

High training intensity, volume, and academic demands have negatively affected young athletes' academic achievements. This study is written to determine the differences in the effects of long-term athlete development-based football training on football players' physical abilities and academic achievements aged 10 and 12 years. Forty-four young football players were involved in this study divided into two age groups of 10 (n = 21) and 12 (n = 23). Before and after the six-month and one-year treatment, physical abilities, consisting of 30 m sprint ability and leg muscle explosive power, were measured using a vertical jump test and aerobic endurance with a multistage fitness test (MFT). In contrast, academic achievement was measured by documenting the scores of mathematics, language, science, social sciences in the report book. The results showed that the long term athlete development-football training model impacted physical abilities but did not affect academic achievements. There was no significant difference between groups of ages 10 and 12. Long-term athlete development-based football training can develop physical abilities and support young football players to complete academic activities.