Effects of a soccer season on anthropometric characteristics and physical fitness in elite young soccer players

J Sports Sci. 2013;31(6):589-96. doi: 10.1080/02640414.2012.746721. Epub 2012 Nov 27.

Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of a soccer-training season on the anthropometric and performance characteristics of elite youth soccer players. Two groups (age: 14.4 years) participated in this study: (1) 24 soccer players training 8 to 10 hours per week and (2) 26 non-athletic boys used as controls. Anthropometric measurements, aerobic (Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 1) and anaerobic (counter-movement-jump (CMJ), squat-jump (SqJ), five-jump-test (5JT), and speed (T5m, 10 m, 30 m)) performances were assessed twice during 8 months (T0: October; T1: May) of the competitive season. Data showed significant differences in height and weight at T0 between the two groups (P < 0.05), while no difference in the percentage of body fat (%BF) was observed. However, the soccer players were significantly taller and had lower %BF than age-matched controls at T1. Compared to the controls, the soccer players attained better results in the physical fitness test (P < 0.05) at T0 and T1 except in (T5m) sprinting speed. Hence, significant improvements (P < 0.05) in physical parameters were observed between T0 and T1 only in soccer players. The results demonstrate that soccer-training season was able to provide maturation free improvement in anthropometric and performance characteristics in young soccer players during the training season.

MeSH terms

  • Adipose Tissue / physiology*
  • Adolescent
  • Anthropometry
  • Body Composition / physiology*
  • Body Height / physiology*
  • Body Weight / physiology*
  • Case-Control Studies
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Physical Education and Training*
  • Physical Fitness / physiology*
  • Soccer / physiology*