Time of day effect in postural control in young soccer players: Field dynamic assessment

ABSTRACT

This study aimed to examine the reliability and the time-of-day variability on standing long jump (SLJ), three hop test (THT) speed (5-m, and 20-m sprint), and balance (Y balance test [Y-BT]) in prepuberal male soccer players. Data were gathered from two phases, using 105 soccer players. Reliability was investigated in phase 1. Time of day effect on SLJ, THT, 5-m, and 20-m speed and Y-BT tests was investigated in phase 2. Phase 1 showed non-significant bias between the two applications of the SLJ, THT, 5-m, and 20-m speed, and Y-BT tests . The SLJ, THT, 5-m, and 20-m speed, and Y-BT scores showed high relative and absolute reliability. The usefulness analysis showed that the SLJ, THT, 5-m and 20-m speed, and Y-BT tests could detect small changes in performance (SEM < SWC for all tests). Phase 2 showed that leg power, speed, and postural control are affected by time of day. A significantly better (p< 0.05) leg power, speed, and postural control were observed at the end of the afternoon than at morning hours. Time-of-day may be considered as a factor in designing leg power, speed, and postural control training programmes and intervention studies for prepuberal male soccer players.

KEYWORDS:

• Children
• time of day
• leg power
• speed
• agility
• postural control

Acknowledgments

The authors are pleased to thankfully acknowledge the subjects who willingly and patiently contributed their time to this study.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.