Anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and technical performance of under-19 soccer players by competitive level and field position

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • A Rebelo
  • J Brito
  • J Maia
  • M J Coelho-e-Silva
  • A J Figueiredo
  • Bangsbo, Jens
  • R M Malina
  • A Seabra
Anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and technical skills of under-19 (U19) soccer players were compared by competitive level (elite, n=95; non-elite, n=85) and playing position (goalkeeper, central defender, fullback, midfield, forward). Fitness tests included 5- and 30-m sprints, agility, squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ), strength and Yo-Yo intermittent endurance test level 2 (Yo-Yo IE2). Soccer-specific skills included ball control and dribbling. Independent of position, elite players presented more hours of training per year than non-elite players (d>1.2). Stature and body mass discriminated elite from non-elite players among goalkeepers and central defenders (d>0.6). Major differences were noted between elite and non-elite goalkeepers for SJ, CMJ, Yo-Yo IE2, and ball control (d>1.2). Elite central defenders performed better than their non-elite counterparts in SJ and ball control tests (d>1.2). Elite players presented better agility and Yo-Yo IE2 performances than non-elite players within all positional roles (d>0.6). In conclusion, U19 players differed in anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness and technical skills by competitive level within field positions.
Original languageEnglish
JournalInternational Journal of Sports Medicine
Volume34
Issue number4
Pages (from-to)312-317
Number of pages6
ISSN0172-4622
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013

ID: 40925565