Age‐related physical and technical match performance changes in elite soccer players

Abstract

The age of peak performance is likely to vary between sports and competitions, affected by the specific skills and attributes needed to succeed in the particular competition. However, no studies using modern tracking techniques have examined the effects of age on competitive match play performance. Thus, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of age on match physical and technical performance using a large‐scale analysis of match performance in professional soccer players. A total of 14 546 individual match observations were undertaken in the first German league (Bundesliga) during the 2012‐2013, 2013‐2014, and 2014‐2015 seasons using a computerized tracking system (VISTRACK, by Impire Corp.). Differences in physical and technical match performance of soccer players were analyzed for the following variables: total distance covered, number of fast runs, number of sprints, and percentage of successful passes. Professional soccer players aged >30 years showed a significant lower performance in the total distance covered, the number of fast runs, and the number of sprints compared with younger players (≤30 years). Conversely, the player's ability to make successful passes increased with age. These effects were observed in all positional roles except wide midfielders. These findings may help coaches and managers to better understand the effects of age on match‐related physical and technical performance and may have the potential to assist in decisions such as, when a new contract would be signed, the duration of the contract, the salary, or when to replace or transfer a player depending on their age.

Age at Nomination Among Soccer Players Nominated for Major International Individual Awards: A Better Proxy for the Age of Peak Individual Soccer Performance?

“…The findings reported above, which are based on measurements of isolated physiological capacities such as power generation and endurance, seem to correspond well with the findings of Sal de Rellán-Guerra et al (2019) , which are based on real soccer match performance. These authors reported that professional soccer players above 30 years of age ran significantly shorter distances and completed fewer fast runs and sprints during matches compared with players below 30 years of age.…”

“…Midfielders generally have the highest maximal oxygen uptake among players in all positions ( Sporis et al, 2009 ; Tønnessen et al, 2013 ), and from our data, we identified an average age of peak performance for the total sample of midfielders to be 26.46 (27.53 for retired last nomination). Our estimated ages at peak performance relative to age variations in endurance capacity seem to reflect the findings on sprint performance, and they indicate that a decrease in endurance can be compensated for by improved performance regarding technical and tactical skills ( Sal de Rellán-Guerra et al, 2019 ). The midfielder Lothar Matthäus was nominated for Ballon d’Or in 1999 at the age of 37.8 years, being to date the oldest nominated midfielder.…”

“…In summary, the age at last nomination in our sample of retired players corresponds well with peak sprint performance among both specialised athletes and soccer players, while for endurance, the literature on peak performance is equivocal. However, the age range of nominated players supports the findings of Sal de Rellán-Guerra et al (2019) and Wilson et al (2017) that although players may be past their peaks as to several physiological attributes, soccer performance can be maintained at a high level by compensating with other non-physiological skills that are less subject to decline after the age of 25.…”

“…Also, the decline in sprint performance is rather coincident with age at last nomination in awards for midfielders and forwards. It should be kept in mind, however, that the possible underestimation of peak age indicates that while sprint times are important, many additional variables contribute to the mix that is soccer performance, not the least of which are ball and tactical skills ( Sal de Rellán-Guerra et al, 2019 ); thus, players may continue to be nominated well after their peaks. The oldest nominated forward of all time was Stanley Matthews at 42 years in 1956.…”

“…Interestingly, the same authors reported that players’ ability to make successful passes improved after they turned 30 years old. These effects were observed in all positional roles except wide midfielders ( Sal de Rellán-Guerra et al, 2019 ). Furthermore, Wilson et al (2017) showed that the best players in matches were those with superior technical (ball) skills rather than athletic traits such as speed, agility, strength, and stamina.…”