title: Match running performance and skill execution improves with age but not the number of disposals in young Australian footballers.
abstract: This study investigated age-related differences in maturity, physical and functional characteristics and playing performance in youth Australian Football (AF). Young male players (n = 156) were recruited from 12 teams across 6 age groups (U10-U15) of a recreational AF club. All players were tested for body size, maturity and fitness. Player performance was assessed during a match in which disposals (kicks and handballs) and their effectiveness were coded from a video recording and match running performance measured using Global Positioning System. Significant main effects (P < 0.01) for age group were observed for age, years to peak height velocity, body mass, height, 20 m sprint, maximal speed over 20 m, vertical jump, 20 m multistage shuttle run, match distance, high-speed running distance, peak speed, number of effective disposals and percentage of effective disposals. Age-related differences in fitness characteristics (speed, lower body power and endurance) appeared to transfer to match running performance. The frequency in which players disposed of the football did not differ between age groups, however the effectiveness of each disposal (i.e., % effective disposals) improved with age. Match statistics, particularly those that evaluate skill execution outcome (i.e., effectiveness), are useful to assess performance and to track player development over time. Differences between age groups, and probably variability within age groups, are strongly associated with chronological age and maturity.
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sport Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences , Deakin University , Burwood , Australia.
authors.forename: Paul B
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-2320-7875
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Gastin
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sport Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences , Deakin University , Burwood , Australia.
authors.forename: Christie
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tangalos
authors.affiliation: b Department of Health and Kinesiology , Texas A&M University , College Station , TX , USA.
authors.forename: Lorena
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.affiliation: a Centre for Sport Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences , Deakin University , Burwood , Australia.|c Institute for Sport, Exercise and Active Living, College of Sport and Exercise Science , Victoria University , Melbourne , Australia.
authors.forename: Sam
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0002-8330-0011
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Robertson
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D054874:Athletic Performance / Q000502:physiology*; D001315:Australia; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D040362:Geographic Information Systems; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000502:physiology*; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology; D012420:Running / Q000502:physiology*; D012741:Sexual Maturation / Q000502:physiology; D012916:Soccer / Q000502:physiology*; D013996:Time and Motion Studies
keywords: Growth and maturity; match analysis; motor skill development; peak height velocity; physical fitness; youth