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Int J Sports Med 2017; 38(05): 384-395
DOI: 10.1055/s-0042-122815
Training&Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Comparison of Skillful vs. Less Skilled Young Soccer Players on Anthropometric, Maturation, Physical Fitness and Time of Practice

Márcio André de Gouvêa
1   Londrina State University, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina, Brazil
,
Edilson Serpeloni Cyrino
2   Londrina State University, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina, Brazil
,
João Valente-dos-Santos
3   University of Coimbra, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal
,
Alex Silva Ribeiro
4   University of Northern Paraná, Center of Research in Health Sciences, Londrina, Brazil
,
Danilo Rodrigues Pereira da Silva
5   Londrina State University, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina, Brazil
,
David Ohara
6   Universidade Estadual de Londrina, Physical Education and Sport Center, Londrina, Brazil
,
Manuel J. Coelho-e-Silva
7   University of Coimbra, Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, Coimbra, Portugal
,
Enio Ricardo Vaz Ronque
8   Londrina State University, Study and Research Group in Physical Activity and Exercise (GEPAFE), Londrina, Brazil
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 02 October 2016

Publication Date:
24 March 2017 (online)

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Abstract

This study compared maturation, body composition and physical fitness between youth soccer athletes with different technical skills levels. Sixty-two young athletes (11–17 years) were categorized dichotomously in more skilled (n=31) and less skilled (n=31) groups based on 3 specific technical tests (Dribbling Speed Test [DST], Shuttle Dribble Test [SDT] and Slalom Dribble Test [SLDT]). Chronological and skeletal age, time of practice, body composition and 4 physical fitness tests were performed for comparisons. As expected, the 3 technical tests were correlated (r=0.47–0.54, P<0.05). More skilled subjects in DST and SDT showed (respectively) higher time of practice (effect size [ES]=0.72 and 0.90), and greater performance sit-ups (ES=1.23 and 0.81), squat jump (ES=1.10 and 1.08), countermovement jump (ES=1.11 and 1.10), and Yo-Yo test (ES=1.17 and 1.40) compared to the less skilled subjects (P<0.05). However, more skilled subjects in SLDT showed greater performance (P<0.05) only in the squat jump (ES=0.67) and Yo-Yo tests (ES=0.83). The results suggest that technical performance is associated with greater time of practice and some physical capabilities. Moreover, the DST and SDT tests seem to be good options to discriminate technical performance in youth soccer athletes.

Key words

youth soccer players - technical performance - skeletal age - body composition - experience
 

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