title: Performance and anthropometric characteristics of prospective elite junior Australian footballers: a case study in one junior team.
abstract: The aim of the study was to compare anthropometric and physical performance data of players who were selected for a Victorian elite junior U18 Australian rules football squad. Prior to the selection of the final training squad, 54 players were assessed using a battery of standard anthropometric and physical performance tests. Multivariate analysis (MANOVA) showed significant (p<0.05) differences between selected and non-selected players when height, mass, 20-m sprint, agility and vertical jump height were considered collectively. Univariate analysis revealed that the vertical jump was the only significant (p<0.05) individual test and a near significant trend (p=0.07) for height differentiating between selected and non-selected players with medium effect sizes for all other tests except endurance. In this elite junior football squad, physical characteristics can be observed that discriminate between players selected and non-selected, and demonstrates the value of physical fitness testing within the talent identification process of junior (16-18 years) players for squad and/or team selection. Based on MANOVA results, the findings from this study suggest team selection appeared to be related to a generally higher performance across the range of tests. Further, age was not a confounding variable as players selected tended to be younger than those non-selected. These findings reflect the general consensus that, in state-based junior competition, there is evidence of promoting overall player development, selecting those who are generally able to fulfil a range of positions and selecting players on their potential.
authors.affiliation: School of Human Movement, Recreation and Performance, Victoria University, Victoria, Australia.
authors.forename: James P
authors.initials: JP
authors.lastname: Veale
authors.forename: Alan J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pearce
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Koehn
authors.forename: John S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Carlson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000886:Anthropometry; D054874:Athletic Performance; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D015331:Cohort Studies; D017079:Exercise Tolerance; D005538:Football / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*