Physical and anthropometrical attributes of Australian youth soccer players

Document Type

Journal Article

Publication Title

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching

Publisher

Sage Publications

School

School of Medical and Health Sciences

RAS ID

25909

Comments

Keller, B. S., Raynor, A. J., Bruce, L., & Iredale, F. (2018). Physical and anthropometrical attributes of Australian youth soccer players. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching, 13(5), 787-793 . . doi:10.1177/1747954117752904

Available here.

Abstract

Objectives

To determine whether Australian youth soccer players of varying levels could be distinguished based on their anthropometrical and physical attributes.

Design

A cross-sectional observational design was used, involving six anthropometrical and physical tests for each player.

Methods

Participants represented three youth levels of competition, namely national elite (n = 18), state elite (n = 22) and sub-elite (n = 22). Anthropometrical and physical tests included standing height; body mass; 5, 10, 30 m sprint and 20 m ‘flying start’ sprint; zig-zag agility test; vertical jump and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 1. A multiple analysis of variance for the main effect of cohort, with a follow-up ANOVA and Tukey's Honest Significant Difference were used to discern which attributes differed between each cohort. Receiver operating characteristic curves were calculated, providing cut-off values between cohorts.

Results

The national elite cohort was significantly taller than the state elite cohort (ES = 0.94) and faster than the sub-elite athletes across 30 m (ES = 0.79) and 20 m with a flying start (ES = 0.77) (P < 0.05). The national elite cohort had a significantly higher level of intermittent endurance, compared to the state elite athletes who also performed better than the sub-elite cohort. The discrepancy between groups in the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 1 was exemplified by the receiver operating characteristic with 94.1% of national elite players running further than 1980 m, while 95.7% of state elite and 100% of sub-elite players failed to reach this distance (ES = 0.88–1.77).

Conclusions

It is evident that anthropometrical and physical attributes differ between youth cohorts, particularly intermittent endurance. It is important to use this knowledge to enhance the current processes used to identify future talent for success in Australian soccer.

DOI

10.1177/1747954117752904

Access Rights

free_to_read

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