Sprint Performance and Mechanical Force-Velocity Profile among Different Maturational Stages in Young Soccer Players

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to determine the influence of maturation status on the components of the sprint force-velocity (F-V) profile in young soccer players. Sixty-two young male soccer players from the same professional soccer academy took part in the present study. A cross-sectional design was implemented to compare the main components of the sprint F-V profile (i.e., maximal theoretical force (F0), velocity (V0), power (Pmax), and ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (RFpeak), and decrease in the ratio of horizontal-to-resultant force (DRF)) and sprint performance (5, 20, and 30 m sprint time) among participants’ maturation stages (i.e., pre-, mid- and post-peak height velocity (PHV) groups). The results show that the ES of differences in 5 min sprint performance, F0, and RFpeak (i.e., strength- and acceleration-related components of the sprint F-V profile) were greater between pre- and mid-PHV groups than those between mid- and post-PHV groups (i.e., large and very large effects (1.24 ≤ ES ≤ 2.42) vs. moderate, small, and zero effects (0 ≤ ES ≤ 0.69), respectively). However, the ES of differences in V0 and DRF (i.e., peak speed-related components of the sprint F-V profile) were greater between mid- and post-PHV groups than those between pre- and mid-PHV groups (i.e., large effects (1.54 ≤ ES ≤ 1.92) vs. moderate effects (−0.59 ≤ ES ≤ 1), respectively). Once the strength development is achieved to a great extent from the pre- to mid-PHV groups, specific strength training methods may be used for young soccer players to improve their sprint performance.

Associations among Maturity, Accumulated Workload, Physiological, and Body Composition Factors in Youth Soccer Players: A Comparison between Playing Positions

“…After that, biological maturity is identified as the time required to reach the adult stage. During this stage, several sexual, morphological, neural, hormonal, somatic, and skeletal changes may occur [ 12 , 13 ]. The predicted maturity offset is defined as the age at which the highest increase in height occurs.…”

Relationship Between Variations Accumulated Workload and Sprint Performance in Elite Adolescent Soccer Players

“…Considering that the most decisive movements in soccer take place in areas smaller than 10 m 2 [14], high power locomotor activities such as sprinting can be the main factor factor in the sucess of high-level soccer performance [9][10][11]13]. Sprinting represents a multidimensional movement skill that involves an explosive concentric, and stretchshortening cycle (SSC) force production, using a number of lower-limb muscles [15,16].…”

“…In a one study, straight sprinting was observed to be the most frequent action before scoring goals for both striker and assist player in youth soccer player [20]. Biological maturity is identified as the time required to reach the adult stage and is characterized by the process of change in sexual, morphological, neural and hormonal, somatic, and skeletal factors [14,21]. Predicted maturity offset, defined as the age at which the greatest increase in height occurs (age at peak height velocity; PHV), is commonly used as an indicator of somatic maturity timing and status [21,22].…”

“…Also, the Rumpf et al [31] noted that maturation affected the vertical stiffness and the ability to absorb and generate power, which were important determinants in the development of maximum sprint performance. Additionally, Fernández-Galván et al [14] suggested that sprinting performance enchanced more rapidly in the post-PHV phase because of the increased strength and power generation that maturity naturally provides (i.e., increased stride length and frequency, and decreased ground contact time).…”

Effects of a small-sided games training program in youth male soccer players: variations of the locomotor profile while interacting with baseline level and with the accumulated load

“…PSS, also called maximal anaerobic speed, indicates the highest running speed achieved with maximum anaerobic energy release [ 9 ]. Since the decisive movements in soccer occur in small areas, PSS is essential in locomotor activities that require high power [ 13 , 14 ]. Moreover, a previous study conducted on young soccer players demonstrated that the most common movement before scoring a goal was sprinting [ 15 ].…”