Predictors of selection into an elite level youth football academy: A longitudinal study

Fortin-Guichard, Daniel; Huberts, Inge; Sanders, J Chad; Elk, Ruud van; Savelsbergh, Geert J.P.

doi:10.1080/02640414.2022.2044128

Cited by 12 publications

(8 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…The importance of sprinting or the ability to perform high-speed running is highlighted considering high-intensity running, which is evident during soccer games [40,41]. Additionally, a longitudinal study on Danish soccer players indicated that the best talent indicator for predicting selection for professional academies was the 30 m sprint speed [42]. Our results revealed that sprint times improved with age for the 10 m run, whereas 11-yearold players performed best in the 20 m run.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Age-Related Differences in the Anthropometric and Physical Fitness Characteristics of Young Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Parpa

Michaelides

2022

Children

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Considering that most professional academies seek to optimize the early detection and physical development of their younger players, the purpose of this study was to examine the anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics in a large cross-sectional sample of youth soccer players in Eastern Europe, starting from a very young age during their in-season period. Three hundred and thirteen soccer players (n = 313), grouped into eight age categories, participated in the study. On the basis of chronological age, the group categories were: 7 (n = 26), 8 (n = 41), 9 (n = 46), 10 (n = 48), 11 (n = 42), 12 (n = 47), 13 (n = 43), and 14 years old (n = 20). The players underwent an anthropometric evaluation, flexibility, handgrip strength, vertical jump performance, speed, and agility assessments. A one-way multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) indicated significant differences in the anthropometric and physical fitness variables based on chronological age (F = 13.40, p < 0.05, Wilk’s Λ = 0.08, partial η2 = 0.30). Concurrently, there were significant growth and physical fitness differences even in players born in the same chronological year. It is believed that the results have important practical implications, especially for those involved in youth soccer. Based on our results, coaches should contemplate speed and agility development in training sessions starting from a much younger age, as sprinting while changing directions has been considered an essential prerequisite in soccer.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 65%

Age-Related Differences in the Anthropometric and Physical Fitness Characteristics of Young Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Parpa

Michaelides

2022

Children

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“…To date, there are no real consensuses on the underpinning methodology for talent identification or which characteristics of talent may best distinguish athletes which are most likely to progress to the elite level. Researchers and practitioners continue the search for the distinctive characteristics responsible for achieving sporting excellence, but is it fair to say that no consensus may ever be reached, considering the ever-evolving complex and dynamic nature of team sports and the subjective opinions of what constitutes successful performance [16]. Given the ever-expanding volume of interest, research and applied practice surrounding TID, this narrative review aims to provide a summary and critical synthesis of the methodological approaches to talent identification in team sports and to present considerations for future TID research.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Methodological Approaches to Talent Identification in Team Sports: A Narrative Review

Barraclough

Till

Kerr

et al. 2022

Sports

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Talent identification (TID) and talent development (TD) continue to receive significant investment from team sports organisations, highlighting their importance in attempting to identify potential elite athletes. Accompanying this continual pursuit to unearth future talent is an ever-increasing body of research aiming to provide solutions and strategies to optimise TID and TD processes. Therefore, the aim of this review is to provide a summary and critical synthesis of the methodological approaches applied to TID in team sports and present considerations for future TID research. Specifically, this review highlights three key areas for consideration: (1) the timespan of the research design; (2) the use of monodisciplinary or multidisciplinary variables; and (3) the fidelity of the methodological approaches to the assessment of talent. The review highlights the benefits of longitudinal, multidisciplinary, and ecologically valid research designs for TID within team sports.

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“…For example, this study shows that a higher speed performance can be expected from older players rather than younger players. Therefore, even though a recent study found that the 30 m sprint test was the best predictor of selection into an elite level youth football academy [ 40 ], the authors of the present study suggest that speed performance should not be taken as a unique benchmark for scouting strategies in young players. In fact, speed performance outcomes could be influenced by other factors.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 58%

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

Scinicarelli

Offerhaus

Feodoroff

et al. 2022

JFMK

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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.

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Predictors of selection into an elite level youth football academy: A longitudinal study

Cited by 12 publications

References 48 publications

Age-Related Differences in the Anthropometric and Physical Fitness Characteristics of Young Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Age-Related Differences in the Anthropometric and Physical Fitness Characteristics of Young Soccer Players: A Cross-Sectional Study

Methodological Approaches to Talent Identification in Team Sports: A Narrative Review

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

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