Open AccessPhysical fitness performance, playing position and competitive level attained by elite junior soccer players
Author(s) -
Asier Los Arcos,
Asier Gonzalez-Artetxe
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
kinesiology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.53
H-Index - 21
eISSN - 1848-638X
pISSN - 1331-1441
DOI - 10.26582/k.53.1.6
Subject(s) - sprint , physical fitness , elite , club , promotion (chess) , psychology , physical therapy , anaerobic exercise , significant difference , fitness test , medicine , political science , politics , law , anatomy
Theaim of this study was tolook into the alleged impact of the physical fitness performance of elite junior soccer players on the professional career according to playing position. Thephysical tests (sprint test, countermovement jump [CMJ], and maximal aerobicspeed [MAS]) performed by 165 players enrolled in the junior team of a Spanish 1stDivision club (1998-2010) were evaluated. Players were classified as those whowere promoted to the reserve team (Reserve Team) and those who were not(non-Reserve Team), and as those who were promoted to the Spanish 1st/2ndDivisions (PFL) and those who were not (NPFL) until the 2020-2021 season. Overall, no significant differences (p>.05) werefound between the ReserveTeam and non-Reserve Team or between the PFL and NPFL players in neuromuscularperformance. Aerobic fitness was greater (p<.05; ES = .79 ± .60 , moderate ; mean difference = 3.0%) for the Reserve Team lateralmidelders in comparison tothat for the non-ReserveTeam. The results suggest that the impact of physical fitness on the promotion ofelite junior soccer players is limited.