Non-elite Soccer Players Research Articles

The Microstructure of Practice Activities Engaged by Elite Youth Soccer Players

The objective of this study was to examine the microstructure of practice engaged by elite youth soccer players and compare it to non-elite soccer players. A total of twenty four training sessions (n = 24) were recorded (with 3 days per week, 3 d/wk) over 8 weeks of pre-competitive season. The microstructure of practice activities was divided into two main types that are Training Form (TF) and Playing Form (PF). The sub-activities in the TF consist of technical and conditioning activities while PF consists of tactical, match-play and small-side games (SSG) activities. The result showed that elite youth soccer players spent 46.8% in training form activities (46.8%) followed by playing form (34.7%) and others (18.5%) while non-elite players spent 45% in training form, followed by playing form (36.6%) and others (18.4%). No significant differences were found between the elite and non-elite groups. In summary, elite youth soccer players had spent time in practice activities begin from training form, followed by playing form and others during pre-competitive season. During pre-competitive phase, coaches seem to focus on activities to regenerate and improve the player's conditioning and technical skills since the nature of training for these types of practice activities that had been done in isolation or in small group session. Therefore, an investigation on the types of activities engaged between the different phases should be included in future research.

Patellar tendon properties distinguish elite from non-elite soccer players and are related to peak horizontal but not vertical power

PurposeTo investigate potential differences in patellar tendon properties between elite and non-elite soccer players, and to establish whether tendon properties were related to power assessed during unilateral jumps performed in different directions.MethodsElite (n = 16; age 18.1 ± 1.0 years) and non-elite (n = 13; age 22.3 ± 2.7 years) soccer players performed vertical, horizontal-forward and medial unilateral countermovement jumps (CMJs) on a force plate. Patellar tendon (PT) cross-sectional area, elongation, strain, stiffness, and Young’s modulus (measured at the highest common force interval) were assessed with ultrasonography and isokinetic dynamometry.ResultsElite demonstrated greater PT elongation (6.83 ± 1.87 vs. 4.92 ± 1.88 mm, P = 0.011) and strain (11.73 ± 3.25 vs. 8.38 ± 3.06%, P = 0.009) than non-elite soccer players. Projectile range and peak horizontal power during horizontal-forward CMJ correlated positively with tendon elongation (r = 0.657 and 0.693, P < 0.001) but inversely with Young’s modulus (r = − 0.376 and − 0.402; P = 0.044 and 0.031). Peak medial power during medial CMJ correlated positively with tendon elongation (r = 0.658, P < 0.001) but inversely with tendon stiffness (r = − 0.368, P = 0.050).ConclusionsNot only does a more compliant patellar tendon appear to be an indicator of elite soccer playing status but it may also facilitate unilateral horizontal-forward and medial, but not vertical CMJ performance. These findings should be considered when prescribing talent selection and development protocols related to direction-specific power in elite soccer players.

The key to success in elite athletes? Explicit and implicit motor learning in youth elite and non-elite soccer players

ABSTRACTIn sports, fast and accurate execution of movements is required. It has been shown that implicitly learned movements might be less vulnerable than explicitly learned movements to stressful and fast changing circumstances that exist at the elite sports level. The present study provides insight in explicit and implicit motor learning in youth soccer players with different expertise levels. Twenty-seven youth elite soccer players and 25 non-elite soccer players (aged 10–12) performed a serial reaction time task (SRTT). In the SRTT, one of the sequences must be learned explicitly, the other was implicitly learned. No main effect of group was found for implicit and explicit learning on mean reaction time (MRT) and accuracy. However, for MRT, an interaction was found between learning condition, learning phase and group. Analyses showed no group effects for the explicit learning condition, but youth elite soccer players showed better learning in the implicit learning condition. In particular, during implicit motor learning youth elite soccer showed faster MRTs in the early learning phase and earlier reached asymptote performance in terms of MRT. Present findings may be important for sports because children with superior implicit learning abilities in early learning phases may be able to learn more (durable) motor skills in a shorter time period as compared to other children.

Impact of Ankle Bracing on Skill Performance in Recreational Soccer Players

To determine the effect of ankle braces on kicking accuracy, speed, and agility in competitive, nonelite soccer players. We hypothesized that the use of ankle bracing would significantly decrease performance in soccer-specific drills immediately after use but not after acclimation to the brace. A prospective randomized controlled trial. University. Twenty healthy recreational adult soccer players (5 men and 15 women; mean age, 23 ± 4.8 years) without a history of lower extremity injury in the past 6 months. All the subjects completed the study. The subjects completed a set of performance measures (ie, accuracy shooting at a target, 40-yard dash, S180° run, and T test) with an McDavid 199 Lightweight ankle brace (test subjects) and without an ankle brace (control subjects) during 2 testing sessions spaced 7-10 days apart. Between the 2 testing sessions, the subjects wore the ankle brace on at least 4 occasions while participating in athletic activities to ensure that a learning effect occurred. Outcomes included kicking accuracy (accuracy shooting at a target) and speed and agility (time to complete a 40-yard dash, S180° run, and T test). No significant difference in performance was found for the accuracy in shooting at a target, 40-yard dash, S180° run, and T test (P > .05) with and without an ankle brace during a session and between sessions. Ankle braces did not significantly affect performance in speed, agility, or kicking accuracy in healthy, competitive, recreational soccer athletes.

Perceptual‐cognitive expertise, practice history profiles and recall performance in soccer

We examined whether high- or low-performing soccer players, classified based on established measures of perceptual-cognitive expertise, differed in regard to their practice history profiles and ability to recall elements of match performance. In Study 1, we measured perceptual-cognitive expertise in elite (n= 48) and non-elite (n= 12) youth soccer players using empirical tests of perceptual-cognitive skill. We then used a quartile split to stratify elite players into either high-performing (n= 12) or low-performing (n= 12) groups based on their test scores. A group of non-elite soccer players (n= 12) acted as controls. In Study 2, we used an established questionnaire to examine retrospectively the participation history profiles of the three groups. The high-performing group had accumulated more hours in soccer-specific play activity over the last 6 years of engagement in the sport compared to their low-performing counterparts and the non-elite controls. No differences were reported for hours accumulated in soccer-specific practice or competition between the high- and low-performing groups. In Study 3, a novel test was developed to examine episodic memory recall in soccer. Although this test successfully differentiated elite from non-elite players, no differences were evident between high- and low-performing groups, implying that episodic memory recall may not be a crucial component of perceptual-cognitive expertise in soccer.

PHYSIOLOGICAL AND ANTHROPOMETRIC CHARACTERISTICS OF YOUNG SOCCER PLAYERS ACCORDING TO THEIR PLAYING POSITION

The aim of this study was to establish the anthropometric and physiological profiles of young nonelite soccer players according to their playing position, and to determine their relevance for the selection process. Two hundred forty-one male soccer players who were members of the Getxo Arenas Club (Bizkaia) participated in this study. Players, age 17.31 (± 2.64) years, range 14–21 years, were classified into the following groups: forwards (n = 56), midfielders (n = 79), defenders (n = 77), and goalkeepers (n = 29). Anthropometric variables of participants (height, weight, body mass index, 6 skinfolds, 4 diameters, and 3 perimeters) were measured. Also, their somatotype and body composition (weights and percentages of fat, bone, and muscle) were calculated. Participants performed the Astrand test to estimate their absolute and relative O2max, an endurance test, sprint tests (30 meters flat and 30 meters with 10 cones) and 3 jump tests (squat jump, counter movement jump and drop jump). Forwards were the leanest, presenting the highest percentage of muscle. They were the best performers in all the physiological tests, including endurance, velocity, agility, and power. In contrast, goalkeepers were found to be the tallest and the heaviest players. They also had the largest fat skinfolds and the highest fat percentage, but their aerobic capacity was the lowest. In the selection process, agility and the jump tests were the most discriminating for forwards. In contrast, agility, height, and endurance were the key factors for midfielders. The defenders group was characterized by a lower quantity of fat. Thus, we may conclude that anthropometric and physiological differences exist among soccer players who play in different positions. These differences fit with their different workload in a game. Therefore, training programs should include specific sessions for each positional role.

Physiological and Anthropometric Characteristics of Young Soccer Players According to Their Playing Position: Relevance for the Selection Process

The aim of this study was to establish the anthropometric and physiological profiles of young nonelite soccer players according to their playing position, and to determine their relevance for the selection process. Two hundred forty-one male soccer players who were members of the Getxo Arenas Club (Bizkaia) participated in this study. Players, age 17.31 (+/- 2.64) years, range 14-21 years, were classified into the following groups: forwards (n = 56), midfielders (n = 79), defenders (n = 77), and goalkeepers (n = 29). Anthropometric variables of participants (height, weight, body mass index, 6 skinfolds, 4 diameters, and 3 perimeters) were measured. Also, their somatotype and body composition (weights and percentages of fat, bone, and muscle) were calculated. Participants performed the Astrand test to estimate their absolute and relative VO2max, an endurance test, sprint tests (30 meters flat and 30 meters with 10 cones) and 3 jump tests (squat jump, counter movement jump and drop jump). Forwards were the leanest, presenting the highest percentage of muscle. They were the best performers in all the physiological tests, including endurance, velocity, agility, and power. In contrast, goalkeepers were found to be the tallest and the heaviest players. They also had the largest fat skinfolds and the highest fat percentage, but their aerobic capacity was the lowest. In the selection process, agility and the jump tests were the most discriminating for forwards. In contrast, agility, height, and endurance were the key factors for midfielders. The defenders group was characterized by a lower quantity of fat. Thus, we may conclude that anthropometric and physiological differences exist among soccer players who play in different positions. These differences fit with their different workload in a game. Therefore, training programs should include specific sessions for each positional role.

Elite and Nonelite Soccer Players: Preseasonal Physical and Physiological Characteristics

The purpose of this study was to (a) describe physical and functional characteristics of elite Serbian soccer players, and (b) make comparisons with nonelite counterparts to identify any relationships between results from the physiological tests and competition level. One of the teams in the study (Squad A; nA = 30) competed in the professional First National League, and the other team (Squad B; nB = 30) played in the amateur Third Division. Physiological measurements were made of 60 players during the final week of preparatory training for competition. Subjects from Squad A were older (24.1 ± 2.5vs. 21.8 ± 2.9 years, p < 0.01) and more experienced (8.1 ± 3.2vs. 4.1 ± 2.9 years, p < 0.01), compared to players in Squad B. Elite players from Squad A had significantly higher estimated VO2 max values, compared with subjects in Squad B (52.9 ± 9.1vs. 45.1 ± 5.5ml·kg−1·min−1, p < 0.01). In addition, the highest heart rate frequencies during the last minute of the 20-min shuttle run test were lower in elite players (182 ± 6vs. 190 ± 8 beats·min−1, p<0.01). Vertical jump height was significantly higher in Squad A (49.9 ± 7.5vs. 43.9 ± 6.9cm, p < 0.01), and estimated percentage of fast muscle fibers (fast twitch) were higher in Squad A as compared to Squad B (64.1 ± 6.1vs. 56.9 ± 7.9%, p < 0.01). The results of the present study demonstrate a strong relationship of aerobic fitness and anaerobic power with performance at the elite level of soccer.