An investigation into the impact of limiting the number of matches of competitive soccer on the fitness of elite youth team soccer players, aged 10 and 11 years old

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  • An investigation into the impact of limiting the number of matches of competitive soccer on the fitness of elite youth team soccer players, aged 10 and 11 years old

University of Cambridge (2004) J Physiol 555P, PC76

Communications: An investigation into the impact of limiting the number of matches of competitive soccer on the fitness of elite youth team soccer players, aged 10 and 11 years old

J.J. Ryder*, D. Cotterrell†, D.W. Kellett†, M. Lafferty† and D.A. Brodie‡,

* University of Hull, †University College Chester and ‡Buckingham & Chilterns University College, UK

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This study aimed to investigate the changes in physical fitness in young soccer players as result of participation in competitive soccer.

Season one (S1) was unrestricted in competitive soccer but during season two (S2), the subjects were only allowed to participate in 30 games. Subjects were recruited from a professional soccer academy (S1 n = 12; S2 n = 14). The subjects were aged between 10-11 years at the start of each season. Speed (sprint time over 10m), aerobic capacity from the multistage shuttle run (MSR) (Ramsbottom et al. 1988), and agility (measured by a run through cones) were monitored at regular intervals across S1 and S2, as well as anthropometric measurements. Somatotype was calculated using the Heath & Carter (1967) method. Linear regression coefficients (LRCs) for each measured parameter were calculated over each season and one-tailed t tests used to detect any significant changes. A Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated to test the relationships between parameters. Independent t tests were used to test whether the rate of change was different between the two seasons.

Height (S1 LRC = 0.048;S2 LRC = 0.125) and weight (S1 LRC = 0.137; S2 LRC = 0.187) increased significantly across both seasons (P < 0.05). Of the somatotype characteristics only ectomorphy decreased significantly across S2 (LRC = -0.032). Examination of fitness parameters showed MSR and agility run performance were maintained with a significant improvement in 10 metre sprint time (P < 0.05) in S1 (LRC = -0.004). Across S2, 10 metre sprint performance was maintained, with agility run performance improving (LRC = -0.0092) and MSR performance decreasing significantly (P < 0.05) (LRC = -0.037). A comparison of the rate of change between S1 and S2 showed a significant decrease in MSR performance. There were no significant correlations between the anthropometric and fitness parameters.

MSR performance was maintained across S1 in accordance with the limited research in adult populations. Restricting the number of games would appear to result in a decrease in aerobic fitness across the season, possibly as a result of the removal of the physical stimulus from competitive soccer matches. This could be remedied by the introduction of sport specific aerobic training in practice sessions.

Ethical approval was obtained from the Chester College Ethics Committee.

Where applicable, experiments conform with Society ethical requirements.

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