Speed and Agility Predictors among Adolescent Male Football Players

Sex-specific relationship patterns between body morphology and maturity status with change of direction and agility in elite adolescent volleyball players

This study explored sex-specific patterns in the relationship between maturity, body morphology, and change of direction (COD) and agility (AG) in adolescent volleyball players. The sample comprised 22 males and 24 females aged 15-17 with at least 4 years of sports experience. Measurements included body height, weight, muscle and fat mass, leg length, and center of mass. The study determined the Age of Peak Height Velocity (APHV) and evaluated sensorimotor ability through pre-planned COD and not-planned AG five-time shuttle runs, measuring the time difference as the index of reactivity. Positive correlations were found between COD and AG with fat mass index (FMI) in boys, while negative relative lower limb length (rLL) correlated with COD. In females, age of peak height velocity (APHV) showed a significant negative relationship with sensorimotor ability. Linear and polynomial regressions confirmed predictive and curvilinear relationships, respectively. Cluster analysis identified different associations in boys and girls, emphasizing sex-specific patterns. Body fat percentage had a negative impact on COD-AG in boys, while the optimal lower limb length proportion positively influenced COD due to enhanced maneuverability. Maturation affected sensorimotor abilities in girls. The findings suggest a need for a tailored approach to COD-AG development based on sex-specific considerations in adolescent volleyball players.

Lower-Body Power, Body Composition, Speed, and Agility Performance among Youth Soccer Players

Speed and agility have been described as crucial abilities for soccer players. The purpose of this study was to analyze, in detail, the variance in speed and agility tasks explained by lower-body power after controlling for age and body composition. The participants were 96 male soccer players aged 16.1 ± 1.6 years. Body composition (stature, body fat percentage-BF%, body mass, and fat-free mass-FFM), lower-body power (countermovement jump-CMJ, and squat jump-SJ), speed (5-, 10-, and 35 m sprints), and agility (t-test) were assessed. Among body composition parameters, BF% presented the highest number of significant relationships with speed and agility, with the strength of correlations ranging from small (5 m sprint, r = 0.25) to large (35 m sprint, r = 0.52). The strongest correlation coefficient emerged between FFM and the 35 m sprint (r = -0.65). Significant correlations were found between vertical jump performance and the 35 m sprint (CMJ: r = -0.68; SJ: r = -0.69), followed by the t-test (CMJ: r = -0.35; SJ: r = -0.47). The hierarchical multiple regression model could explain 22% to 67% of the variance observed in agility scores and speed. BF% remained the most statistically significant negative predictor of all regression models. The CMJ remained a statistically significant positive predictor of the 35 m sprint (β = -0.581, p ≤ 0.01) after controlling for age and body composition. Integrating programs targeting lower-body power might be important to enhance speed and agility performance in youth soccer. On the other hand, future research based on multidisciplinary approaches to investigate the effects of nutritional strategies in reducing or preventing gains in BF% is still needed, which remained a significant predictor of sprint and agility performance in the final models.

Effect of maturation level on normative specific-agility performance metrics and their fitness predictors in soccer players aged 11-18 years

BACKGROUND

In sports sciences, normative data serve as standards for specific physical performance attributes, enhancing talent identification within a specific population. The aim of this study was to provide standard data for Agility-15 m, Ball-15 m tests, and skill index, considering maturation level, specifically age at peak height velocity (PHV). The study also investigated the relationship between relative performances in these tests and anthropometrics, jumping (squat jump [SJ], countermovement jump [CMJ]), and sprinting abilities (S-5 m, S-10 m, S-20 m, S-30 m) in young soccer players.

METHODS

The study involved 647 soccer players aged 11-18 years, categorized into three groups: pre-PHV, circum-PHV, and post-PHV. Statistical analysis was conducted using analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc testing to detect variations among maturation groups, and Pearson's correlation test to examine the relationship between factors.

RESULTS

Agility-15 m and ball-15 m performances among maturity groups showed significant differences (p < 0.01). Significant correlations were identified in pre-PHV group, between lower limb length and Agility-15 m (r=-0.23, p < 0.05) and between height and Ball-15 m (r=-0.23, p < 0.05). In post-PHV group, there was a correlation between body fat percentage (BF %) and Agility-15 m (r = 0.17, p < 0.05) and Ball-15 m (r = 0.21, p < 0.05). In all maturity groups, there were significant correlations between agility and sprint tests (S-5 m, S-10 m, S-20 m, and S-30 m) and muscle power (SJ and CMJ).

CONCLUSION

The study revealed that both speed and lower limb power significantly influence agility in young soccer players, providing valuable insights for coaches and practitioners to create tailored training plans and interventions for different age groups and maturity levels.

Lower limbs strength variations between injured and non-injured professional soccer players

Due to its physical demands, professional soccer is becoming a real challenge regarding players' exposure to high injury risk. Given its tight correlation with high-intensity actions, muscular strength is a crucial physical characteristic for soccer players. Therefore, the aims of this study are (a) to compare the vertical jumping performance during the season according to the injury profile, and (b) to investigate differences in isokinetic strength performance at the beginning and the end of the season. Twenty-one male professional soccer players (age: 26.0 ± 4.1 years, height: 181.0 ± 6.9 cm, body mass: 73.7 ± 6.9 kg) were assessed in isokinetic strength (Biodex System 4 Pro Dynamometer), and Optojump Next (Microgate, Bolzano, Italy). Isokinetic strength analyses considered the peak torque scores of knee flexors and knee extensors, according to the player's preferred and non-preferred limb. The countermovement and squat jump maximum height were assessed as lower body explosive strength indicators. No significant differences were found when comparing injured and non-injured players in vertical jump and isokinetic strength assessments. However, significant results were found when comparing both groups' initial and final evaluation in isokinetic strength assessment, with both groups significantly improving their performance. Our findings indicate that the overall lower body strength performance was not a discriminant factor between injured and non-injury players. Thus, muscular strength assessment performance increased throughout the season independently of the injury profile. Future research needs to integrate other variables related to sports injuries since they seem to result from multifactorial causes.

The Influence of Somatic Maturity on Anthropometrics and Body Composition in Youth Soccer Players

The primary aim of this investigation was to compare players' anthropometric (AP) and body composition (BC) characteristics between distinct maturity bands (pre-PHV, circa-PHV, post-PHV) in youth elite soccer. This study considered 320 male soccer players (mean age 13.8 y). Participants were from U14 (n = 157) and U15 (n = 163) age categories. The Khamis-Roche method was applied to calculate the percentage of predicted adult height (PAH) at the time of assessment based on which the players were further divided into maturity bands (pre-PHV ≤ 87%, circa-PHV = 88-95%, post-PHV > 95%). The findings indicated that most of the players were in the circa-PHV stage at the time of investigation. Measurements included height and weight. The estimates of BC parameters were derived using bioelectrical impedance (BIA) analysis. These various AP and BC attributes displayed significant differences among the maturity bands (F = 139.344-7.925; p < 0.001; large effect sizes) except in body fat mass (BFM) (F = 2.998; p = 0.051; small effect size). The current somatic maturity stage of the athletes should be considered when evaluating BC results, otherwise there is a risk of misinterpretation.

Validity of the SKILLCOURT® technology for agility and cognitive performance assessment in healthy active adults

Background/Objectives

Agility and cognitive abilities are typically assessed separately by different motor and cognitive tests. While many agility tests lack a reactive decision-making component, cognitive assessments are still mainly based on computer-based or paper-pencil tests with low ecological validity. This study is the first to validate the novel SKILLCOURT technology as an integrated assessment tool for agility and cognitive-motor performance.

Methods

Thirty-two healthy adults performed agility (Star Run), reactive agility (Random Star Run) and cognitive-motor (executive function test, 1-back decision making) performance assessments on the SKILLCOURT. Cognitive-motor tests included lower limb responses in a standing position to increase the ecological validity when compared to computer-based tests. Test results were compared to established motor and agility tests (countermovement jump, 10 m linear sprint, T-agility tests) as well as computer-based cognitive assessments (choice-reaction, Go-NoGo, task switching, memory span). Correlation and multiple regression analyses quantified the relation between SKILLCOURT performance and motor and cognitive outcomes.

Results

Star Run and Random Star Run tests were best predicted by linear sprint (r = 0.68, p < 0.001) and T-agility performance (r = 0.77, p < 0.001), respectively. The executive function test performance was well explained by computer-based assessments on choice reaction speed and cognitive flexibility (r = 0.64, p < 0.001). The 1-back test on the SKILLCOURT revealed moderate but significant correlations with the computer-based assessments (r = 0.47, p = 0.007).

Conclusion

The results support the validity of the SKILLCOURT technology for agility and cognitive assessments in more ecologically valid cognitive-motor tasks. This technology provides a promising alternative to existing performance assessment tools.

Research on the development and testing methods of physical education and agility training equipment in universities

Introduction

Because of the problems of insufficient funds and traditional training methods in college sports agile training, an agile training system based on a wireless ad hoc network was developed to evaluate the effect of improving the sensitive quality of ordinary college students. Based on the ESP-MESH network, the lower computer realizes automatic networking between devices and tests the performance of the mesh network. Fourteen male college students received 9 weeks of agility training, with seven students in each of two groups: traditional agility training and agile equipment training. The researchers evaluated the performance of both groups in rapid disguise, body coordination, changing movements, and predictive decision-making.

Results

There was no significant difference between the groups before training, but there were significant differences in the four abilities after training (p < 0.01). The experimental group had significant differences in rapid direction change and physical coordination (p < 0.05), and in changing movement and predictive decision-making ability (p < 0.01).

Conclusion

Both traditional training and agile equipment training improve the agility quality of college students, and the latter shows better results in certain abilities. However, limited by other physical qualities, the improvement of motor changes and predictive decision-making ability is not as obvious as the other two abilities.

Maturity-Related Variations in Morphology, Body Composition, and Somatotype Features among Young Male Football Players

The study aimed to investigate differences in anthropometry, body composition (BC), and somatotype in young football players of the same chronological age according to the maturity stage. Overall, 64 elite players (age: 14.28 ± 0.46 years) were evaluated for standing and sitting body height, girth measures, and BC using the bioelectric impedance scale and skinfold thickness. In total, two-thirds (73.44%, n = 47) of football players were classified as on-time maturers, 12.50% (n = 8) were early maturing, and 14.06% (n = 9) were late maturing. Standing and sitting height, leg length, fat-free mass, and muscle mass were significantly different (p < 0.001) across maturity groups. A significant decrease (p < 0.05) with maturity progression was seen for subscapular and suprailiac skinfolds along with a girth increase at all sites (p < 0.05). Early maturers were balanced ectomorphs, while on-time and late maturers featured mesomorph-ectomorph characteristics. The obtained results suggested that mature players have better BC presented as a lower fat percentage along with higher muscle mass, advantages in circumferences, and longitudinal dimensions of the body with highlighted mesomorph features. Maturity can have a substantial influence on body measures, thereby affecting sport-specific performance. Early maturers can use their anthropometric advantages and compensate for a lack of talent, consequently preventing even participation of physically undeveloped players in training. A better understanding of maturity, BC, and somatotypes can help in the selection of young talented players.

Physical Fitness and Body Composition of Youth Referees in Invasion Games

Background: Referees’ activity can be an instrument for training students with an impact on health-related physical fitness (PF). This study aimed to investigate the differences in PF and body composition between students without sports practice (G1), students with regular sports practice (G2), and student referees in team invasion games (G3). Methods: This study followed a cross-sectional design. The sample comprised 45 male students between 14 and 20 years old (16.40 ± 1.85). Three groups (G1, G2, and G3) of 15 participants each were selected. PF was assessed by a 20 m shuttle run, change-of-direction test, and standing long jump. Body composition was determined by body mass index (BMI; kg/m2) and the percentage of body fat (%BF) predicted by skinfold. Results: After controlling for age as a covariate, the block of variables used to characterize PF was statistically different between sports practice groups favoring student referees (p < 0.001; r = 0.26). Similar results were achieved for body composition (i.e., BMI and %BF) (p < 0.001; r = 0.17). However, when the dependent variables were evaluated separately, there were only differences between groups in %BF (p = 0.007; r = 0.21). Student referees had statistically significantly lower values than the remaining groups. Conclusion: Refereeing activity benefits PF related to health and performance, including body composition. This study confirms the benefits related to health in children and adolescents who are involved in refereeing activity.

Changes in Estimated Body Composition and Physical Fitness of Adolescent Boys after One Year of Soccer Training

Sports participation is one of the most popular forms of physical activity among youngsters. This study aimed to examine the changes in the estimated body composition, strength, and flexibility of adolescent boys after 12 months of soccer training compared with those of age-matched controls with non-sports participation. We assessed 137 boys (62 soccer players and 75 controls) at baseline (TM1) and 12 months later (TM2). The differences in estimated body composition, strength, and flexibility were investigated using a repeated measure analysis of variance. The analysis revealed a significant main effect of soccer training on fat mass (F = 73.503, p ≤ 0.01, η2 = 0.59) and fat-free mass (F = 39.123, p ≤ 0.01, η2 = 0.48). Over time, the soccer group decreased their fat mass and increased their fat-free mass, while the opposite results were observed for the controls. Among physical fitness tests, a substantial effect of soccer training was evidenced for the sit-up performance (F = 16.224, p ≤ 0.01, η2 = 0.32). Regarding the time factor, significant effects were noted for height and handgrip strength. No significant differences were detected for flexibility. Overall, the benefits of soccer training were exhibited by the larger improvements in fat mass, fat-free mass, sit-ups, and handgrip strength performance, underlining the important role of soccer participation during adolescence.

Lower Limb Skeletal Robustness Determines the Change of Directional Speed Performance in Youth Ice Hockey

The factors that influence the on-ice change of directional speed (COD) of ice hockey players remain unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to determine which off-ice and anthropometric variables determine hockey COD with and without a puck. Thirty-two elite ice hockey players (age: 17.64 ± 1.02 years, body height: 180 ± 7.5 cm, body mass: 76.4 ± 7.8 kg) performed squat jumps, broad jumps, countermovement jumps, and pull-ups and were assessed on agility office and on-ice, with and without a puck. Anthropometric characteristics were determined according to the modified somatotype method. A moderate correlation (r = 0.59-0.6) was observed among all agility tests, between on-ice agility with a puck and lower limb skeletal robustness (r = 0.45), and between on-ice agility with a puck and sit-and-reach scores (r = -0.50). Agility without a puck correlated with squat jump height (r = -0.36). Multiple regression analysis indicated that off-ice agility (β = 0.51) and skeletal robustness of the lower limbs (β = 0.35) determined (R² = 0.41) on-ice agility with a puck. Players' COD was assessed by Illinois tests of agility off-ice and on-ice, with and without a puck; each of these tests moderately predicted the others, but differed in their physical constraints. Players with higher skeletal robustness used more strength and power to achieve COD performance, while players with lower skeletal robustness used techniques and skills to achieve COD, resulting in superior COD performance with a puck compared to stronger athletes. CODs with and without a puck are discrete skills requiring different abilities.

Body composition variations between injured and non-injured professional soccer players

Professional soccer is characterized by its physical demands, making players' exposure to high injury risks a growing problem. It is crucial to study the factors associated with injuries in professional soccer. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between age, body composition, and others variables related with the injury profile of professional soccer players of a specific Portuguese team. Also, it analyzed the impact of the injury profile on soccer's variations in body fat (BF%), skeletal muscle mass (SMM) and total body water (TBW) throughout the season. The sample comprised 31 male professional soccer players competing in the First Portuguese Soccer League. Older players had a higher prevalence of muscular injuries. Midfielders and forwards showed the highest number of muscular injuries during the season being quadriceps the most affected zone. Considering players' BF% [Wilks' Lambda = 0.42, F (7, 23) = 4.61, p = 0.002, r = 0.58], SMM [Wilks' Lambda = 0.59, F (6, 23) = 2.70, p = 0.039, r = 0.41] and TBW [Wilks' Lambda = 0.54, F (7, 23) = 2.80, p = 0.029, r = 0.46] there was a substantial main effect for the assessments performed throughout the season and the injury status. Age assumes relevance in explaining the injury profile. The impact of the injury profile on soccer's variations in BF%, SMM and TBW throughout the season must be analyzed considering the clinical relevance.

Relationship between Anthropometric Measures and Anxiety Perception in Soccer Players

In the sports context, it has been corroborated that the physical demands of presenting an “ideal” body configuration have been associated with different psychological variables, such as self-esteem, anxiety and personality dimensions, such as perfectionism. Specifically, there is evidence that anthropometric measures may be closely related to psychological indicators. A total of 33 male soccer players (18.12 ± 1.24 years) participated in the investigation. Anthropometric assessments were carried out following the ISAK standards for the restricted profile. All of them completed the Competitive Trait Anxiety Inventory (CTAI-2D) in its Spanish version. The percent fat was calculated using Withers (density) and Siri equations. The ∑7 skinfolds were used to calculate this. After statistical analysis, significant mean differences were observed in the somatic anxiety dimension (valence) and a medium–large effect size. Regarding correlations, the significantly negative relationship between self-confidence (intentionality) and somatic anxiety (valence) was noteworthy. The relationship between psychological variables and anthropometric measurements was corroborated, showing the need for interdisciplinary work between psychologists and nutritionists who do not ignore the physical health and psychological well-being of the soccer player.

Physical Development Differences between Professional Soccer Players from Different Competitive Levels

In soccer, physical development is crucial for developing optimal performance. This study aimed to assess and compare the physical development of elite and non-elite professional soccer players. Seventy-eight male professional football players divided into four competitive levels participated in this study: the elite group (EG), the non-elite group A (NEG-A), the non-elite group B (NEG-B), and the under 23 group (U23). Body composition, static strength, lower-body explosive strength, flexibility, and balance were assessed. No significant statistical differences between elite and non-elite players were seen in body composition parameters. However, the EG performed better in static strength, lower-body explosive strength, flexibility, and balance, even after adjusting for the effects of chronological age. The analysis showed that the competitive level (group) explained 25% to 29% of the variance observed in the lower-body explosive strength tasks. Sports staff and coaches in different age categories or competitive levels should include specific lower-body explosive strength content during soccer training to promote players’ long-term development towards the elite level.

The Association between Multidirectional Speed Performance, Dynamic Balance and Chronological Age in Young Soccer Players

The ability to maintain a stable single-leg balance stance during a fast change of direction movement is a fundamental aspect both for improving sport-specific skills and for prevention strategies. The aim of this cross-sectional study was to investigate the associations between multidirectional speed performance (MDS), dynamic balance performance (DBP), and chronological age in young and uninjured soccer players. In addition, it was examined whether chronological age and balance can predict variance in speed performance. One-hundred forty-six young male soccer players (age range 11-19) performed the y-balance test (YBT) and the lower extremity functional test (LEFT). Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and multiple regression analysis were executed. The analyses were carried out on the further variables: for the DBP, the YBT composite score % (CS dominant leg/CS non-dominant leg) and limb symmetry index % (LSI) were used; for the MDS, the LEFT time in seconds (s) was used. Findings revealed LEFT scores to have a significant association with chronological age (p = 0.000), CS dominant (p = 0.019) and LSI (p = 0.044) of the YBT. In addition, CS dominant and chronological age explained the variance of the LEFT by 44%, regardless of LSI. To conclude, MDS revealed a strong association with DBP of the dominant side but a small association with LSI. In addition, a small association was found between quick LEFT times and older players. Finally, MDS variance can be predicted from DBP of the dominant side and chronological age in young soccer players. The tests used in this study could be useful screening tools for the detection of performance deficits, the implementation of prevention training programs, and the optimization of selection strategies in soccer academies.