Performance profiling of elite youth football players: the effects of age on performance

[摘要] This study sought to investigate the whether the academy conformed to chronologicaland/or relative age effects and the effects of maturation in a review of performancetests. The data aimed to test whether relative age effects, are necessarily part of eliteteam sports alongside providing the club with an appropriate strategy for predictingphysical performance. 93 elite male youth players (13.0 ± 1.9 years, 158.1 ± 15.7 cm,48.7 ± 15.1 kg) spanning six squads, (U11, U12, U13, U14, U15 and U17) wereinvolved in the study. Performance was assessed via tests of lower body power (CMJ),speed (10m and 20m tests), agility (505 test), and endurance (Yo-Yo IR1). Withineach age category, participants were grouped based on their quartiles of birth andmaturity status was assessed via anthropometrics. Analysis revealed significantdifferences between chronological age groups for all measured testing variables(P<0.01). No significant differences were observed between the U11, U12 and U13squads in CMJ, 10m and 20m sprint alongside 505 times (P<0.05). However, the U14to U17 had significantly better test results, for all measures, in comparison to the U11s.Significant differences in distance attained across all squads was only observed in theYo-Yo IR1. Significant difference was witnessed between pre, circa and post groups(P<0.01). Circa-PHV and post-PVH groups produced significantly better resultscompared to pre-PHV. Furthermore, significant differences were found between circaPHVand post-PHV groups across 10m, 20m and Yo-Yo IR1 (P<0.05), however nosignificant differences in 505 (P=0.13) and CMJ (P=0.26). Findings suggest the moremature/older players outperform their less mature/younger counterparts. It was alsosuggested that teams should compare players based on their maturational age ratherthan their chronological or relative ages to remove any bias in physical stature.

[发布机构] University:University of Glasgow;Department:School of Life Sciences

[关键词] QP Physiology