External load differences between elite youth and professional football players: ready for take-off?

ABSTRACT

This study examines differences in weekly load between the first (FT) and the under 19 team (U19) within a professional football setting. Data were collected in 11 FT and 9 U19 players (2016-2017 season). FT data was divided into weeks with (FT-M1) or without (FT-M0) a mid-week match. Indicators were total distance (TD) and TD at 12-15, 15-20, 20-25 and >25 km‧h^-1 and were analysed as external load (m), intensity (m‧min^-1) and load monotony (a.u.). TD-based load was higher for U19 compared to FT-M0 (very likely moderate) and FT-M1 (likely large). Differences at higher velocities were substantially less (trivial to possibly small), with TD >25 km‧h^-1 being lower than FT-M0 (very likely moderate) and FT-M1 (likely small). All intensity indicators were lower for U19 (likely small to almost certainly large). Load monotony was higher compared to FT-M1 (possibly small to almost certainly very large). Compared to FT-M0, monotony was higher for TD (possibly very large) and TD >25 km‧h^‑1 (possibly moderate) but lower for TD 12-15 (possibly small) and 15-20 km‧h^‑1 (likely moderate). So, despite higher weekly external loads at low velocity for elite youth players, external intensity and load variation increases when these players may transition to professional football. 

KEYWORDS:

• Load monitoring
• intensity
• monotony
• player development
• match congestion

Acknowlegments

The authors would like to thank the players and both physical and medical staff for their participation. This study was part of 2 research projects both supported by a research grant from the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology-IWT, Belgium (IWT 130841 [A. Jaspers] and IWT HBC.2017.0569 [K. Houtmeyers]).

Disclosure statement

The research grants contained a collaboration between the University of Leuven and TopSportsLab NV.

Correction Statement

This article has been republished with minor changes. These changes do not impact the academic content of the article.

Additional information

Funding

This work part of two research projects both supported by a research grant from the Agency for Innovation by Science and Technology-IWT, Belgium (IWT 130841 [A. Jaspers] and IWT HBC.2017.0569 [K. Houtmeyers]).