(33) THE EFFECT OF AGE ON MATCH-HIGH ACCELERATIONS AND DECELERATIONS IN ELITE YOUTH SOCCER PLAYERS

PURPOSE

Our study aimed to examine whether there are any differences in high accelerations and decelerations ( >5 m s-2/min) between various ages of football players. The threshold commonly used for accelerations and decelerations ranges from 2-4 m s-2. However, further scientific evidence is needed to determine whether players of different chronological ages exhibit significant differences in more demanding higher accelerations and decelerations (5 m s-2) during a match. Our study could contribute to a better understanding the demands imposed on players during a match.

METHODS

The variables collected through GPS were high accelerations and decelerations per minute of match play ( >5 m s-2/min). Match data were collected in the year 2022. Seventy-eight football players (16.3 ± 1.2 years old) from an elite Czech football academy were part of the study. A total of 968 player's matches recordings of at least 60 minutes played (fewer minutes were removed due to pacing strategies) were collected and divided into groups according to chronological age (14 years n=92, 15 years n=308, 16 years n=190, 17 years n=190, 18 years n=55 matches). Because of the data normality violation, Kruskal–Wallis one-way analysis of variance was used. The effect size was measured by Hedges g.

RESULTS

Our findings showed significant differences only in high accelerations between 14- and 16-year-old players (p < 0.05; g = 0.43), with higher values in 16-year-old players. However, we did not find any other significant differences in accelerations and decelerations between other age groups. The effect size ranged from 0.03 to 0.43 for accelerations and from 0 to 0.17 for decelerations.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that there are no significant differences between age categories in accelerations and decelerations at higher speed changes, which are more demanding. Therefore, even in the younger categories (U-14), matches are as demanding for rapid changes of speed as in the older categories.

PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

Our research suggests that coaches and strength and conditioning coaches in soccer should begin monitoring rapid changes in speed, such as high accelerations and decelerations, among younger players. This recommendation is based on our findings. Coaches can then optimize physical load regarding high accelerations and decelerations during the training process to reduce the risk of injury and increase the speed performance of young players.

Acknowledgements:

This work was supported by the Charles University Cooperatio Program, research area Sport Sciences – Biomedical & Rehabilitation Medicine.