Match Running Performance in Young Soccer Players: A Systematic Review

Area of Science:

• Sports Science
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology

Background:

• Athletic performance in youth soccer is traditionally assessed in labs, but recent focus is on in-match running via time-motion analysis.
• Existing reviews cover senior players, but a gap exists for youth soccer match running performance data.
• Match running data offers practical insights for training and tactical decision-making in youth soccer.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and critically appraise research on match running performance in young male soccer players.
• To summarize findings on activity profiles, distances covered, and speed thresholds during match play.
• To identify trends and gaps in the existing literature on youth soccer match running.

Main Methods:

• A systematic literature search was conducted across PubMed, Web of Science, SPORTDiscus, and SciELO databases.
• Inclusion criteria focused on original English-language articles published by December 31, 2017, involving male players aged 20 years or younger.
• Key search terms included 'soccer,' 'youth,' 'running performance,' 'time-motion analysis,' and 'match analysis.'

Main Results:

• 50 articles involving 2615 participants were included, with most research originating from Europe and utilizing global positioning systems (GPS).
• Consistent findings showed positional role and age effects on running performance, but no clear consensus on activity decline during matches.
• Measurement errors in tracking tools were often overlooked, and many studies correlating running performance with physical capacity did not account for playing position.

Conclusions:

• External match loads in youth soccer vary significantly due to unstandardized game rules and formats, limiting generalizability of findings.
• Periodization training focusing on technical-tactical elements may enhance match running performance, though evidence is limited.
• Young soccer players commonly experience running performance impairments; recovery strategies like cold water immersion warrant further investigation.