Motion analysis of match-play in elite U12 to U16 age-group soccer players.
The aim of this study was to quantify the motion demands of match-play in elite U12 to U16 age-group soccer players. Altogether, 112 players from two professional soccer clubs at five age-group levels (U12-U16) were monitored during competitive matches (n = 14) using a 5 Hz non-differential global positioning system (NdGPS). Velocity thresholds were normalized for each age-group using the mean squad times for a flying 10 m sprint test as a reference point. Match performance was reported as total distance, high-intensity distance, very high-intensity distance, and sprint distance. Data were reported both in absolute (m) and relative (m · min(-1)) terms due to a rolling substitute policy. The U15 (1.35 ± 0.09 s) and U16 (1.31 ± 0.06 s) players were significantly quicker than the U12 (1.58 ± 0.10 s), U13 (1.52 ± 0.07 s), and U14 (1.51 ± 0.08 s) players in the flying 10 m sprint test (P < 0.001). The U16 age-group covered significantly more absolute total distance (U16 > U12, U13, U14), high-intensity distance (U16 > U12, U13, U14, U15), very high-intensity distance (U16 > U12, U13), and sprint distance (U16 > U12, U13) than their younger counterparts (P < 0.05). When the data are considered relative to match exposure, few differences are apparent. Training prescription for youth soccer players should consider the specific demands of competitive match-play in each age-group.
Harley
Jamie A
JA
Sport and Exercise, University of Teesside, Middlesbrough. j.harley@tees.ac.uk
Barnes
Christopher A
CA
Portas
Matthew
M
Lovell
Ric
R
Barrett
Stephen
S
Paul
Darren
D
Weston
Matthew
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D054874:Athletic Performance; D002648:Child; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement; D010807:Physical Endurance; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis