Anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and technical performance of under-19 soccer players by competitive level and field position.
Anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and technical skills of under-19 (U19) soccer players were compared by competitive level (elite, n=95; non-elite, n=85) and playing position (goalkeeper, central defender, fullback, midfield, forward). Fitness tests included 5- and 30-m sprints, agility, squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ), strength and Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2). Soccer-specific skills included ball control and dribbling. Independent of position, elite players presented more hours of training per year than non-elite players (d>1.2). Stature and body mass discriminated elite from non-elite players among goalkeepers and central defenders (d>0.6). Major differences were noted between elite and non-elite goalkeepers for SJ, CMJ, Yo-Yo IE2, and ball control (d>1.2). Elite central defenders performed better than their non-elite counterparts in SJ and ball control tests (d>1.2). Elite players presented better agility and Yo-Yo IE2 performances than non-elite players within all positional roles (d>0.6). In conclusion, U19 players differed in anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and technical skills by competitive level within field positions.
Faculty of Sport-University of Porto, Centre of Research, Education, Innovation and Intervention in Sport, Porto, Portugal. anatal@fade.up.pt
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A
Rebelo
J
J
Brito
J
J
Maia
M J
MJ
Coelho-e-Silva
A J
AJ
Figueiredo
J
J
Bangsbo
R M
RM
Malina
A
A
Seabra
D000293:Adolescent; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D005080:Exercise Test; D006801:Humans; D007717:Knee / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D019415:Torque