Abstract

This study aimed to analyze the annual variation of soccer players abilities assessed by means of a field-battery test administered six times during an entire competitive season (from T0 to T5).  Anthropometric (i.e., body mass, stature, and body mass index), soccer skill (i.e., touch with the body, touch with the head, passing, shooting, dribbling with pass, and dribbling) and functional capacities (i.e., counter-movement jump with and without free arms, and speed) tests were submitted to 33 Under-14 soccer players. A general improvement across the season as confirmed by the rising effects from 0.3 (T2) to 0.6 (T5) was showed. The technical skills (except touch with the head and dribbling) and functional tests showed significant differences (p < 0.001) between T0 and T5 but they were not dependent by the exposure to training. This study underlined that the skills’ development in youth soccer players are not linear due to the effects of the growth and maturation. In order to optimize this process, in-season assessment are needed. Finally, programs and decisions promoted by coaches and scouts aimed to the development of youth soccer players should be inspired by the potential results that might be achieved by players.

Resumen

El objetivo del presente estudio consistió en analizar la variación anual de las habilidades de jugadores de fútbol sub-14 (n=33) mediante una batería de test de campo administrados seis veces a lo largo de la temporada (de T0 a T5). Las mediciones registradas se centraron en aspectos antropométricos (i.e., talla, peso e índice de masa corporal), habilidades específicas (i.e., toques con el cuerpo, con la cabeza, pases, lanzamientos, regates con pase y regates) y la condición física (i.e., salto en contra movimiento con y sin movimiento de brazos y velocidad). Los resultados mostraron una mejora a lo largo de la temporada con efectos que pasaron de 0.3 (T2) a 0.6 (T5). Las habilidades técnicas (excepto el toque con la cabeza y el regate) y los test funcionales mostraron diferencias significativas (p<0.001) entre los periodos T0 y T5, pero éstas no fueron dependientes de la exposición al entrenamiento. El presente estudio permite resaltar que el desarrollo de habilidades en jóvenes jugadores de fútbol no es lineal debido a los efectos del desarrollo y la maduración. En relación con el proceso de optimización de entrenamiento se requieren evaluaciones a lo largo de la temporada. Finalmente, los programas específicos y las decisiones de entrenadores y scouters debe centrarse en el desarrollo de los jugadores jóvenes tomando como punto de partida el potencial que pueden alcanzar.

https://doi.org/10.5232/ricyde2018.05303

References/references

Abbott, A., and Collins, D. (2004). Eliminating the dichotomy between theory and practice in talent identification and development, considering the role of psychology. Journal of Sports Sciences, 22(5), 395-408.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410410001675324

Ali, A.; Williams, C.; Hulse, M.; Strudwick, A.; Reddin, J., Howarth, L., Eldred, J.; Hirst, M., and McGregor, S. (2007). Reliability and validity of two tests of soccer skill. Journal of Sports Sciences, 25(13), 1461-1470.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410601150470

Ali, A. (2011). Measuring soccer skill performance, a review. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine in Science of Sports, 21(2), 170-183.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2010.01256.x

Carling, C.; Le Gall, F.; Reilly, T., and Williams, A.M. (2009). Do anthropometric and fitness characteristics vary according to birth date distribution in elite youth academy soccer players? Scandinavian Journal of Medicine in Science of Sports, 19(1), 3–9.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2008.00867.x

Condello, G.; Minganti, C.; Lupo, C.; Benvenuti, C.; Pacini D., and Tessitore, A. (2013). Evaluation of Change-of-Direction Movements in Young Rugby Players. International Journal of Sports Physiology and Performance, 8(1), 52-55.
https://doi.org/10.1123/ijspp.8.1.52

Coutinho, D., Gonçalves, B., Figueira, B., Abade, E., Marcelino, R., and Sampaio, J. (2015). Typical weekly workload of under 15, under 17, and under 19 elite Portuguese football players. Journal of Sports Sciences, 33(12), 1229-1237.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1022575

Elferink-Gemser, M.T.; Visscher, C.; Lemmink, K.A.; and Mulder, T. (2007). Multidimensional performance characteristics and standard of performance in talented youth field hockey players: A longitudinal study. Journal of Sports Science, 25(4), 481-489.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410600719945

Figueiredo, A.J.; Coelho E Silva, M.J.; and Malina, R.M. (2011). Predictors of functional capacity and skill in youth soccer players. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine in Science of Sports, 21(3), 446-54.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1600-0838.2009.01056.x

Figueiredo, A.J.; Goncalves, C.; Coelho-e-Silva, M.J.; and Malina, R. (2009b). Characteristics of youth soccer players who drop out, persist or move up. Journal of Sports Science, 27(9), 883-891.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410902946469

Figueiredo, A.J.; Goncalves, C.; Coelho-e-Silva, M.J.; and Malina, R. (2009a). Youth soccer players, 11-14 years, Maturity, size, function, skill and goal orientation. Annals of Human Biology, 36(1), 60-73.
https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460802570584

Francioni, F.M.; Figueiredo, A.J.; Terribili, M., and Tessitore, A. (2016). Analysis of the intraseasonal stability of field test performances in young academy soccer players. Journal of Sports Science, 34(10), 966-972.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2015.1082612

Gabbett, T. J. (2016). The training-injury prevention paradox: should athletes be training smarter and harder? British Journal of Sports Medicine, 50, 273-280.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsports-2015-095788

Gibson, N., Brownstein, C., Ball, D., and Twist, C. (2017). Physiological, perceptual and performance responses associated with self-selected versus standardized recovery periods during a repeated sprint protocol in elite youth football players: A preliminary study. Pediatric exercise science, 29(2), 186-193.
https://doi.org/10.1123/pes.2016-0130

Gullich, A.; and Emrich, E. (2006). Evaluation of the support of young athletes in the elite sport system. European Journal of Sport Society, 3(2), 85-108.
https://doi.org/10.1080/16138171.2006.11687783

Helsen, W.F.; Van Winckel, J.; and Williams, A.M. (2005). The relative age effect in youth soccer across Europe. Journal of Sports Science, 23(6), 629-636.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410400021310

Holt, N.L.; Mitchell. T.; and Button, C. (2006). Talent development in English professional soccer. International Journal of Sport Psychology, 37(2/3), 77-98.

Huck, S.W. (2000). Reading Statistics and Research, 3rd ed., Addition, Wesly Longman, Compaign.

Huijgen, B.C.H; Elferink-Gemser, M.T.; Ali, A.; and Visscher, C. (2013). Soccer Skill Development in Talented Players. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 34(8), 720–726.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1323781

Le Gall, F.; Carling, C.; Williams M.; and Reilly, T. (2010). Anthropometric and fitness characteristics of international, professional and amateur male graduate soccer players from an elite youth academy. Journal of Sport Science in Medicine of Sport, 13(1), 90–95.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2008.07.004

Lidor, R.; Còtè, J.; and Hackfort, D. (2009) ISSP position stand, to test or not to test? The use of physical skill tests in talent detection and in early phases of sport development. International Journal of Sport Exercise and Physiology, 7(2), 131-146.
https://doi.org/10.1080/1612197X.2009.9671896

MacNamara, A.; Buttan, A.; and Collins, D. (2010a). The role of psychological characteristics in facilitating the pathway to elite performance. Part 1, Identifying mental skills and behaviours. Sport Psychology, 24(1), 52-73.
https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.24.1.52

MacNamara, A.; Buttan, A.; and Collins, D. (2010b). The role of psychological characteristics in facilitating the pathway to elite performance. Part 2, Examining environmental and stage related differences in skills and behaviors. Sport Psychology, 24(1), 74-96.
https://doi.org/10.1123/tsp.24.1.74

MacNamara, A.; and Collins, D. (2011). Comment on “Talent identification and promotion programmes of Olympic athletes”. Journal of Sports Science, 29(12), 1353-1356.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2011.568510

Malina, R.M.; Cumming, S.P.; Kontos, A.P.; Eisenmann, J.C.; Ribeiro, B.; and Aroso, J. (2005). Maturity-associated variation in sport-specific skills of youth soccer players aged 13-15 years. Journal of Sports Science, 23(5), 515-522.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410410001729928

Malina, R.M.; Ribeiro, B.; Aroso, J.; and Cumming, S.P. (2007). Characteristics of youth soccer players aged 13–15 years classified by skill level. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 41(5), 290–295.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2006.031294

Mendez-Villanueva, A.; Buchheit, M.; Kuitunen, S.; Douglas, A.; Peltola, E.; and Bourdon, P. (2011). Age-related differences in acceleration, maximum running speed, and repeated- sprint performance in young soccer players. Journal of Sports Science, 29(5), 477-484.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2010.536248

Meylan, C.; Cronin, J.; Oliver, J.; and Hughes, M. (2010). Reviews, Talent Identification in Soccer, The Role of Maturity Status on Physical, Physiological and Technical Characteristics. International Journal of Sports Science and Coaching, 5(4), 571–592.
https://doi.org/10.1260/1747-9541.5.4.571

Miranda, R.E.E.P.C.; Antunes, H.K.M.; Pauli, J.R.; Puggina, E.F.; and Da Silva, A.S.R. (2013). Effects of 10-week soccer training program on anthropometric, psychological, technical skills and specific performance parameters in youth soccer players. Science Sports, 28(2), 81-87.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scispo.2012.02.005

Musch, J.; and Grondin S. (2001). Unequal competition as an impediment to personal development, a review of the relative age effect in sport. Dev Rev, 21(2), 147–167.
https://doi.org/10.1006/drev.2000.0516

Oliver, J.L.; and Smith PM. (2010). Neural control of leg stiffness during hopping in boys and man. Journal of Electromyography and Kinesiology, 20(5), 973-979.
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jelekin.2010.03.011

Peñailillo, L., Espíldora, F., Jannas-Vela, S., Mujika, I., and Zbinden-Foncea, H. (2016). Muscle strength and speed performance in youth soccer players. Journal of human kinetics, 50(1), 203-210.

Reilly, T.; Williams, A.M; Nevill, A.; and Franks A. (2000). A multidisciplinary approach to talent identification in soccer.  Journal of Sport Science, 18(9), 695-702.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410050120078

Rosch, D.; Hodgson, R.; Peterson, L.; Graf-Baumann, T.; Junge, A.; Chomiak, J.; and Dvorak, J. (2000). Assessment and Evaluation of Football Performance. Amererican Journal of Sports Medicine, 28(suppl 5), S29-39.
https://doi.org/10.1177/28.suppl_5.s-29

Russell, M.; and Kingsley M. (2011). Influence of exercise on skill proficiency in soccer. Sports Medicine, 41(7), 523-539.
https://doi.org/10.2165/11589130-000000000-00000

Tessitore, A.; Perroni, F.; Cortis, C.; Meeusen, R.; Lupo, C.; and Capranica, L. (2011). Coordination of soccer players during preseason training. Journal Strength and Conditioning Research, 25(11), 3059-3069.
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0b013e318212e3e3

Unnithan, V.; White, J.; Georgiou, A.; Iga, J.; and Drust, B. (2012). Talent identification in youth soccer. Journal of Sports Science, 30(15), 1719-1726.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2012.731515

Vaeyens, R.; Malina, R.M.; Janssens, M.; Van Renterghem, B.; Bourgois, J.; Vrijens, J.; and Philippaerts, R.M. (2006). A multidisciplinary selection model for youth soccer, the Ghent Youth Soccer Project. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 40(11), 928-934.
https://doi.org/10.1136/bjsm.2006.029652

Valente-dos-Santos, J.; Coelho-e-Silva, M.J.; Martins, R.A.; Figuiredo, A.J.; Cyrinho, E.S.; Sherar, L.B.; Vaeyens, R.; Huijgen, B.C.H.; Elferink-Gemser, M.T.; and Malina, R.M. (2012). Modelling developmental changes in repeated-sprint ability by chronological and skeletal ages in young soccer players. International Journal of Sports Medicine, 33(10), 773-780.
https://doi.org/10.1055/s-0032-1308996

Williams, A.M. (2000). Perceptual skill in soccer, Implications for talent identification and development. Journal of Sports Science, 18(9), 737-750.
https://doi.org/10.1080/02640410050120113