title: Validation of the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test in young soccer players.
abstract: The aim of this study was to examine the validity and reliability of the Loughborough Soccer Passing Test (LSPT) in adolescent soccer players. Eighty-seven players, aged 14-17 years, were recruited according to their playing level: elite (n = 44), sub-elite (n = 22), and non-elite (n = 21). Two attempts of the LSPT were performed at baseline. Players then completed 10 attempts over 3 weeks to familiarize themselves with the test. Subsequently, 2 main trials, separated by 1 week, were performed; the mean of the 2 attempts was recorded as the performance score. After familiarization, the performance scores showed significant differences (p < 0.01) between elite (40.3 ± 8.3 seconds), sub-elite (58.1 ± 10.2 seconds), and non-elite players (66.6 ± 11.7 seconds). There was low-to-moderate reliability between trials with sub-elite (r = 0.35, p < 0.05) and non-elite players (r = 0.47, p < 0.05), but very good for elite players (r = 0.96, p < 0.05). Scores at baseline were better (p < 0.05) for elite players (51.0 ± 9.3 seconds) compared with sub-elite (60.8 ± 8.2 seconds) and non-elite players (69.0 ± 11.1 seconds). The LSPT seems to be a valid and reliable protocol to assess differences in soccer skill performance in adolescent players and can distinguish players according to their playing level. The LSPT was able to distinguish different abilities without players undergoing any familiarization with the test, thus enabling it to be used for talent identification purposes.
authors.affiliation: 1Movement, Sport, and Health Sciences Laboratory (M2S), UFR STAPS, University of Rennes 2, ENS Cachan, Rennes, France; 2School of Sport and Exercise, Massey University, Auckland, New Zealand; 3High Institute of Sport and Physical Education of Tunis Kassar Saîd, La Manouba, Tunisia; and 4Laboratory of Physiological Functional Explorations, Ibn El Jazzar, Faculty of Medicine, Sousse, Tunisia.
authors.forename: Emmeran
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Le Moal
authors.forename: Olivier
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Rué
authors.forename: Ali
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Ajmol
authors.forename: Abderaouf B
authors.initials: AB
authors.lastname: Abderrahman
authors.forename: Mohammed A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hammami
authors.forename: Omar B
authors.initials: OB
authors.lastname: Ounis
authors.forename: Wiem
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Kebsi
authors.forename: Hassane
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Zouhal
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000592:standards*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D011214:Practice, Psychological; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology / Q000592:standards*; D013647:Task Performance and Analysis; D013997:Time Factors