Impact of Aerobic Power, Strength of Lower Limbs and Speed on Technical Skills in Young Soccer Players.

The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of physical fitness on technical skills in young soccer players and identify which physical variable can discriminate level of technical behavior. The sample was composed of 64 young male soccer players aged 11.9 to 17.9 yrs. The players were evaluated according to their physical fitness and technical skills. Physical fitness was evaluated by the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test level 1, Counter Movement Jump, and the 30 m Speed Test. Technical skills were evaluated by the General Soccer Ability Skill Test Battery (dribble, pass, and shot on goal). Three discriminant analyses were performed to analyze which variable related to physical fitness can discriminate the level of technical indicators in young players (P<0.05). The findings indicate that the Yo-Yo test (Λ=0.53; P<0.001), Speed (Λ=0.67; P<0.001), and Counter Movement Jump (Λ=0.70; P<0.001) can discriminate players between technical groups. Physical variables were related to technical indicators and can help to discriminate the level of technical execution in young soccer players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]