Match-running performance of young soccer players in different game formats

ABSTRACT

Present study aimed to analyse the effect of game format, age-group, and playing position on match-running variables of soccer players (age ranging from 6.94 ± 0.7 to 13.46 ± 0.5 years; height ranging from 125.36 ± 6.04 to 159.16 ± 7.78 cm; weight ranging from 27.16 ± 5.75 to 49.89 ± 8.89 kgf). Match-running variables were assessed using global positioning system technology. Results suggest that game formats, which include more players have a significant effect on match-running variables than those having fewer players (p < 0.001). Moreover, oldest age-groups covered significantly higher distances in all categories than younger groups, total distance (TD): η² = 0.32, p < 0.001; low-intensity running (LIR): η² = 0.09, p < 0.001; high-intensity running (HIR): η² = 0.25, p < 0.001; very high-intensity running (VHIR): η² = 0.34, p < 0.001; very high-intensity activity (VHIA): η² = 0.42, p < 0.001; and sprinting (SP): η² = 0.41, p < 0.001). Match-running variables also differ among playing positions. Defenders covered lowest TD and HIR in all age-groups; midfielders covered highest TD and LIR in all age-groups (p < 0.001); forwards covered highest VHIR, VHIA, and SP in U14 age-group. Defenders covered lowest TD, LIR, HIR, and VHIR; midfielders covered highest TD and HIR regardless game format (p < 0.001); forwards covered highest VHIR, VHIA, and SP in 11v11 format (p < 0.001). These findings can provide an opportunity for coaches to maximise the efficiency of their training sessions.

KEYWORDS:

• Time-motion
• GPS
• performance analysis
• physical demands
• team sport

Acknowledgements

We thank all the players and managers of the soccer teams for their collaboration. The authors have no conflict of interest directly relevant to the content of this article. No external financial support was declared for this investigation. This study was supported by Center for Innovation and Intervention Training in Sport of the faculty of sport of the University of Porto.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.