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Specific muscular development in under-18 soccer players
P Leatt1, R J Shephard, M J Plyley
1School of Physical and Health Education, Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
Journal of Sports Sciences
|January 1, 1987
Summary
Canadian national soccer players show increased height and lean body mass with age, suggesting development and selection favoring larger athletes. Enhanced leg strength and flexibility were also observed in older players.
Area of Science:
- Sports Science
- Human Physiology
- Soccer Performance Analysis
Background:
- Understanding physical characteristics of elite youth athletes is crucial for talent identification and development.
- Previous research has explored anthropometric and strength differences in athletes, but specific comparisons within national youth soccer squads are less common.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the physical characteristics of Canadian under-18 (U-18) and under-16 (U-16) national soccer squads.
- To compare these players against a national fitness survey sample to identify potential selection or developmental trends.
Main Methods:
- Comparative analysis of anthropometric data (stature, lean body mass), isokinetic leg extension force, explosive strength (vertical jump), and hip flexibility (sit and reach test).
- Data from U-18 and U-16 Canadian national soccer teams were compared with the Canada Fitness Survey (1983) representative sample.
Main Results:
- Older players (U-18) exhibited greater stature and lean body mass compared to U-16 players and the general population sample.
- U-18 players demonstrated superior isokinetic leg extension force and explosive strength (vertical jump) relative to U-16 players.
- Canadian soccer players showed greater hip flexibility than the national sample, potentially aiding in injury prevention.
Conclusions:
- There is a tendency for selection or development favoring taller players with greater lean body mass and strength in older age groups of Canadian national soccer teams.
- The observed physical attributes, including enhanced leg strength and flexibility, may contribute to improved performance and reduced injury risk in elite youth soccer players.