Open AccessDoes a 1-Year Age Gap Modify the Influence of Age, Maturation, and Anthropometric Parameters as Determinants of Performance Among Youth Elite Soccer Players?
Author(s) -
Iraia BidaurrazagaLetona,
José António Lekue,
Markos Amado,
Susana María Gil
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
journal of strength and conditioning research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.569
H-Index - 128
eISSN - 1533-4287
pISSN - 1064-8011
DOI - 10.1519/jsc.0000000000002203
Subject(s) - anthropometry , sprint , demography , analysis of variance , age groups , test (biology) , elite , jumping , psychology , physical therapy , medicine , mathematics , statistics , biology , physiology , paleontology , sociology , politics , political science , law
Bidaurrazaga-Letona, I, Lekue, JA, Amado, M, and Gil, SM. Does a 1-year age gap modify the influence of age, maturation, and anthropometric parameters as determinants of performance among youth elite soccer players? J Strength Cond Res 33(9): 2541-2547, 2019-Because age-groups in soccer often comprise children born within a 2-year time frame, characteristics that define the profile of a successful player may not be appropriate for the oldest or youngest players of the same age-group. Therefore, this study aimed to determine to what extent performance was influenced by age, maturation, and body size in elite soccer players with barely 1-year age gap. Anthropometry, 15-m sprint test, modified Barrow's agility test, Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1, countermovement jump, and handgrip test were conducted in players aged 12 years and under (n = 82; age, 11.1 ± 0.6 years) and between 12 and 13 years (n = 79; age, 12.8 ± 0.6 years). A total score of performance, chronological age, and age at peak height velocity were calculated. Descriptive statistics, Student's t-tests, and multiple linear regressions were performed. The explained variance in composite score was greater in the older (54%) than in the younger (30%) players. Sum of skinfolds was the primary predictor of 15-m sprint and countermovement jump in the younger group, whereas in the older group, chronological age and body size appeared as predictors of performance (41%). Body size explained the variance in most tests in older players. In the younger group, biological maturity status explained the variance in endurance (35%) and handgrip (59%) tests. In summary, chronological age and sum of skinfolds influenced the most tests; however, predictors differed between age groups. These findings highlight the importance of assessing individual differences in young male soccer players regardless of their similarity in age.