Identification, objectification and determination of performance and health-prevention criteria in elite soccer players

Identification, objectification, and determination of performance criteria for elite soccer players. Aim: Identification of key point indicators (KPI) of young soccer players with a focus on objectifying and determining the possibility of achieving the highest level of performance. Methods: The study included 157 soccer players, who were then divided into five age groups (U21, U19, U18, U17 and U16) and three performance groups (Elite - 1st league players, Sub-elite - 2nd league players, Amateur - 3rd league and lower performance levels players). Within laboratory diagnostics, the following areas were evaluated: body composition (bioimpedance method), postural stability (using pressure plates), explosive power of the lower limbs (three types of vertical jumps), strength and power of knee extensors and flexors (using isokinetic dynamometry) and the value of the maximum aerobic capacity VO2max (using the pulmonary ventilation exercise test). Within the field diagnostics, the areas of acceleration time (sprint at 5 and 10 m), maximum speed (sprint at 20 m flight), time in the test of change of direction (Agility 505 test and K-test) and values of endurance ability (Yo- Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 and 2). The diagnosed data were then processed in the statistical program RStudio® (USA) using..

Comparison of physical abilities with foreign teams in the age category U-14

Sportovní hryFakulta tělesné výchovy a sportuFaculty of Physical Education and Spor

Identification, objectification and determination of performance and health-prevention criteria in elite soccer players

Identifikace, objektivizace a determinace kritérií výkonnostního hlediska u elitních hráčů fotbalu. Cíle: Identifikace klíčových indikátorů mladých hráčů fotbalu se zaměřením objektivizovat a determinovat možnost dosažení nejvyšší sportovní úrovně. Metody: Do studie bylo zahrnuto 157 hráčů fotbalu, kteří byli následně rozděleni do pěti věkových skupin (U21, U19, U18, U17 a U16) a třech výkonnostních skupin (Elitní - hráči 1. ligy, Sub- elitní - hráči 2. ligy, Amatérská - hráči 3. ligy a nižších výkonnostních soutěží). V rámci laboratorní diagnostiky byly evaluovány oblasti: tělesného složení (bioimpedanční metodou), posturální stability (pomocí tlakových desek), explozivní síly dolních končetin (inverzní dynamometrie vertikálních výskoků), velikost síly kolenních extenzorů a flexorů (izokinetická dynamometrie) a hodnota maximální aerobní kapacity VO2max (zátěžový test na běhátku do selhání). V rámci terénní diagnostiky byly evaluovány oblasti: běžecké akcelerace (sprint na 5 a 10 m), maximální běžecké rychlosti (sprint na 20 m letmo), rychlosti změny směru pohybu (Agility 505 test a K-test) a vytrvalostní schopnosti (Yo-Yo intermitentní test úrovně 1 a 2). Diagnostikovaná data byla zpracována ve statistickém programu RStudio® (USA) pomocí analýzy rozptylu dvou faktorů (Two-way ANOVA) s minimální...Identification, objectification, and determination of performance criteria for elite soccer players. Aim: Identification of key point indicators (KPI) of young soccer players with a focus on objectifying and determining the possibility of achieving the highest level of performance. Methods: The study included 157 soccer players, who were then divided into five age groups (U21, U19, U18, U17 and U16) and three performance groups (Elite - 1st league players, Sub-elite - 2nd league players, Amateur - 3rd league and lower performance levels players). Within laboratory diagnostics, the following areas were evaluated: body composition (bioimpedance method), postural stability (using pressure plates), explosive power of the lower limbs (three types of vertical jumps), strength and power of knee extensors and flexors (using isokinetic dynamometry) and the value of the maximum aerobic capacity VO2max (using the pulmonary ventilation exercise test). Within the field diagnostics, the areas of acceleration time (sprint at 5 and 10 m), maximum speed (sprint at 20 m flight), time in the test of change of direction (Agility 505 test and K-test) and values of endurance ability (Yo- Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 and 2). The diagnosed data were then processed in the statistical program RStudio® (USA) using...Laboratoř sportovní motorikyFakulta tělesné výchovy a sportuFaculty of Physical Education and Spor

Seasonal variation of speed and endurance in young elite soccer players

Title: Seasonal variabilityof speed and endurance skills of young elite soccer players. Objectives: Comparison of variability in speed and endurance capabilities of young elite soccer players during one season in the U-12 category based on the results of a test battery consisting of 4 tests (30 m sprint test, Agility 505 Test, Illinois test and Yo-yo intermittent recovery test level 1). Methods: Our thesis is characterized by using comparison and testing methods. We use the comparison method in the result section, in order to compare the performance of individual players by means of statistical methods. This is how we focus on each of our test exercises during all four testing phases included in seasonal macrocycle. The results: As the result of our thesis, we found out that the physical abilities of individual players and their demonstration in the performed tests improve or remain the same or statistically very similar throughout the season. We observe the highest variability in agility 505 test with a 6.96 % DL and 7.29 % NDL as well as a 25.86 % in Yo-Yo intermittent recovery level 1. According to our observations, deviations in the performance of soccer players are mainly caused by long-term and systematic training process, different training and match load of the players during the..

Intensity of Soccer Players’ Training Load in Small-Sided Games with Different Number of Players

The main aim of this research was to compare differences in heart rate values (HR) of soccer players during small-sided games (SSGs) with different number of players. We assumed that the number of “neutral” player or players in small-sided games will significantly affect the intensity of SSGs and in this case the heart rate values of participating players. The experimental group consisted of older junior players from the FC DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda soccer club (n = 9). The heart rate values were evaluated on the basis of collected data, which we obtained using Polar sport testers and special software Polar Team2. In order to find out the statistical significance of the difference in heart rate was used the One-Way ANOVA and the Bonferroni post hoc test. The level of statistical significance we set at 5 %. We found out that with increasing number of “neutral” players’ the intensity of small-sided games gradually decreased. During SSG1 (3 vs. 3), we recorded the highest achieved average heart rate values of the monitored players, in average 171.33 ± 9.39 beats.min-1. This form of the SSGs was the most intense, but not statistically significant. Our recommendation is to employ SSGs in the systematic training process with different number of players, because we can adequately prepare the players for the match load itself. Attention need to be paid for the playing position requirements

Intensity of Soccer Players’ Training Load in Small-Sided Games with Various Content Focus

The aim of this research was to make reference to the difference in heart rate values (HR) of soccer players in small-sided games (SSG) with various content focus. We assumed that the aim at the content in small-sided games would significantly affect the HR values of participating soccer players. The research group was comprised of players (n = 6) of the soccer club FK DAC 1904 Dunajská Streda (U15) at the age of 14 ± 0.7 years. The HR values were evaluated on the basis of collected data, which we obtained using sport testers and special software POLAR TEAM2. In order to find out the statistical significance of the difference in HR was used the One-Way ANOVA and the Bonferroni post hoc test. The level of statistical significance was set at 5 %. We found out that by the change of the small-sided game’s content focus, the internal reaction of players’ organism to training load was at different level. In the SSG3, with the emphasis on the improvement of individual’s final offensive game activity – shooting, was recorded the highest achieved HRavg value of the monitored players (181.83 ±7.11 beats.min−1). This form of the SSG was the most intense. However, there were no significant differences in HR values among the individual forms of the SSG. Our recommendation is to employ in the systematic training process small forms of small-sided games with various content focus, because by the means of it we can adequately prepare the players for the match load itself

Seasonal Variation of Agility, Speed and Endurance Performance in Young Elite Soccer Players

The aim of this study was to investigate changes in the linear running speed (LRS) for 30 m, change of direction speed (CODS), and endurance in young elite Czech soccer players. The following tests were conducted to assess CODS and endurance: Agility 505 turning toward the dominant (A505DL) and non-dominant lower limb (A505NL); Illinois Agility Test (IAT); and intermittent test (Yo-Yo IRT1). During the soccer season, we investigated performance at the following time periods: the start (t1) and the end of the pre-season period (t2); during (t3) and at the end of the competitive period (t4). Repeated measurement analysis of variance revealed a significant effect of time period on selected fitness parameters (p < 0.05). Post hoc analysis for test A505DL revealed significant improvements of performance at t3 (2.71 ± 0.08 s) and t4 (2.72 ± 0.06 s) compared to t1 (2.81 ± 0.09 s). A505NL was significantly different between t1 (2.83 ± 0.09 s) and t2 (2.76 ± 0.09 s), t3 (2.7 ± 0.07 s) and t4 (2.71 ± 0.09 s). Performance of CODS at t1 for the IAT (18.82 ± 0.56 s) was significantly lower (p < 0.05) than any other time period (t2 = 18.52 ± 0.63 s, t3 = 17.94 ± 0.51 s, t4 = 17.89 ± 0.66 s). The power of LRS was significantly different at t3 (4.99 ± 0.15 s), and t4 (4.98 ± 0.17 s) compared to t1 (5.15 ± 0.21 s), and t2 (5.07 ± 0.14 s). For the Yo-Yo IRT1 test, we observed a significant increase in performance between t1 (625.26 ± 170.34 m), t2 (858.95 ± 210.55 m), and t3 (953.68 ± 229.88 m). These results show the impact of soccer season time period on young soccer player performance and may further serve as a basis for comparison with similar research conducted by peers. These results may aid sports practice for clinicians, conditioning coaches, soccer coaches and physiotherapeutic coaches

Physical Fitness Characteristics of High-level Youth Football Players: Influence of Playing Position

The aim of this study was to determine whether the speed, agility, aerobic and anaerobic capacities of football players varied by playing positions. Elite youth football players (n = 123, age = 15.7 ± 0.5 years) who played in six different positions, as goalkeepers (GK), full backs (FB), central defenders (CD), wide midfielders (WM), central midfielders (CM), and attackers (AT), were assessed. Multivariate analysis of variances was used to compare the following variables: Linear running sprint for 5 m (S5) and 10 m (S10), flying sprint for 20 m (F20), agility 505 test with turn on the dominant (A505D) and non-dominant leg (A505N), agility K-test, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery (YYIR1) test and repeat sprint ability (RSA) test. The results showed significant influence of playing positions on linear-running sprint performance (F1,123 = 6.19, p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.23). Midfielders reached significantly higher performance levels (CM = 2.44 ± 0.08 s, WM = 2.47 ± 0.13 s) in the A505N test compared to GK (2.61 ± 0.23 s). Outfield players had significantly higher performance in both YYIR1 and RSA tests compared to GK (p < 0.01). The results of this study may provide insightful strategies for coaches and clinical practitioners for developing position-specific conditioning programs

Bilateral Strength Asymmetry in Elite Youth Soccer Players: Differences between Age Categories

The strength asymmetry of athletes as a negative health and performance factor is increasingly being researched in sports with a high load on the dominant limb when some specific unilateral movements, such as passing, jumping, and tackling, are required. This study aimed to determine the level of isokinetic strength bilateral asymmetry (BA) among knee extensors (KEs) and knee flexors (KFs) of elite youth soccer players. The sample (n = 87) consisted of three age categories of under 13 (U13), under 15 (U15), and under 17 (U17) years old. Isokinetic dynamometry was used to obtain the maximum peak torque of the KEs and KFs in the dominant and non-dominant lower limbs during concentric muscle contraction. The analysis revealed significantly lower values (p p p < 0.05). Our results showed a significant effect of age category on BA levels in young soccer players. High incidences of increased BA in the lower limbs occurred in the younger categories (U13, U15) and subsequently decreased in the later adolescent stages

Differences in External and Internal Load in Elite Youth Soccer Players within Different Match Timing Zones

The aim of this study was to determine and analyze the differences between the players&rsquo; internal (IL) and external load (EL) in different time zones (T1: 0&ndash;45 min, T2: 45&ndash;70 min, T3: 0&ndash;70 min, T4: 70&ndash;90 min, T5: 45&ndash;90 min, and T6: 0&ndash;90 min) in elite youth soccer matches (U17&ndash;19 age category). The monitored group comprised elite youth soccer players (n = 66; age = 17.5 &plusmn; 1.2 years; body height = 178.5 &plusmn; 8.7 cm; body mass = 70.4 &plusmn; 6.3 kg). Multivariate analysis of variances was used to compare the following variables: relative total distance covered (TDCrel), distance covered in different speed zones (Z1&ndash;Z6), high-metabolic load distance (HMLD), maximum running speed (Smax), number of acceleration (ACC) and deceleration (DCC) entries in different speed zones (Z1, Z2, Z3), and maximum heart rate (HRmax). Results revealed significant differences (p &lt; 0.05) in the first 70 min (T3) compared to the last 20 min of the match (T4) in the following: TDCrel was higher, up to 6.6% (123.09 &plusmn; 9.48 vs. 115.03 &plusmn; 9.42 m.min&minus;1); distance in Z5 (22.4%, 6.08 &plusmn; 1.82 vs. 4.72 &plusmn; 1.72 m.min&minus;1); Z4 (18.6%, 20.15 &plusmn; 4.82 vs. 16.40 &plusmn; 3.48 m.min&minus;1); Z3 (10.4%, 53.06 &plusmn; 47.52 m.min&minus;1); and HMLD (16.1%, 34.86 &plusmn; 5.67 vs. 29.26 &plusmn; 5.11 m.min&minus;1). We also found higher running performance in the first half (T1) than in the second half (T5) in the following parameters: TDCrel, Z5, Z4, ACCZ1, ACCZ2, and DCCZ1. With progressive time (in T4) we found a significant decrease in physical running performance, probably due to fatigue, which can lead to potential injury or losing in a match. The results of this study may provide helpful information in developing training strategies for coaches and in the set-up of plan for potential substitution of exhausted players mainly for the last 20 min of a match (T4). The present results are expressed as a relative value and should be compared with other study results with irregular timing zones