title: Long-term soccer-specific training enhances the rate of physical development of academy soccer players independent of maturation status.
abstract: The aim of the study was to compare 3-year changes in physical performance between junior soccer players selected for an elite academy and age-matched controls. The 3-year changes in indicators of the physical performance were quantified in 12-16-year-old Premier League Academy (n=27) and non-academy soccer players (n=18). Data were analysed with an age-group×competitive level general linear model, covariate-adjusted for initial performance level and change in maturation. Covariate adjusted mean±SD changes were greater (standardised effect size>0.7) for the academy players in terms of countermovement jump (7.3±2.6 vs. 5.4±2.5 cm), 10 m sprint (- 0.15±0.05 vs. - 0.10±0.04 s), 20 m sprint (- 0.30±0.16 s vs. - 0.15±0.13 s), agility (- 0.19±0.01 s vs. - 0.08±0.08 s), repeated sprint (- 0.60±0.26 s vs. - 0.41±2.1 s) and intermittent endurance capacity (1 128±406 vs. 315±370 m). These data indicate that a 3-year programme of training in an elite soccer academy is associated with greater changes in physical performance indicators independently from the initial performance level of the child and change in maturation over the same period of time.
authors.affiliation: Blackburn Rovers FC, UK.
authors.forename: R D
authors.initials: RD
authors.lastname: Wrigley
authors.affiliation: Football Exchange Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Drust
authors.affiliation: Applied Sports Technology Exercise and Medicine Research Centre, Swansea University, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Stratton
authors.affiliation: Health and Social Care Institute, Teesside University, UK.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Atkinson
authors.affiliation: Football Exchange Research Institute for Sport and Exercise Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University, UK.
authors.forename: W
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Gregson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D002648:Child; D006801:Humans; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology; D010806:Physical Education and Training / Q000379:methods*; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D059385:Plyometric Exercise; D012741:Sexual Maturation; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013997:Time Factors