DIFFERENCE IN PHYSICAL PERFORMANCE IN ADOLESCENT SOCCER PLAYERS ACCORDING TO THEIR LEVEL

The ability to differentiate players according to their level is not clearly defined. There is evidence that youth soccer players classified as elite and non- elite differ in body size and maturity (Malina, 2003). but also in strength, flexibility and soccer-specific skills (Hansen et al, 1999 ; Rosch et al., 2000). However, studies that aimed to determine the level differences in speed, change of direction speed (CODS) and agility are missing. We investigated level differences in speed, change of direction speed and reactive agility in a group of trained adolescent soccer players. Methods: A total of 75 adolescent male soccer players (aged 14–18 years) were recruited. The players were grouped on the basis of level of play to elite, sub-elite and amateur players. Players were tested for 5, 10-m sprint, and 20-m sprint, COD and Reactive Agility Test containing light- based (RAT-Light) and opponent-based stimuli (RAT- Opponent). Results: Elite players had faster reaction time RAT-Opponent (p ≤0.01) compared to sub-elite and amateur players. Moreover, elite players showed faster time during RAT-Light (p ≤0.01) but only compared to amateur players. Conclusion: This study does not recommend to use of agility full time and CODS as indicators to assign the players level differences in adolescents. On the other hand, we can conclude that reaction time in agility test can be a significant factor that differentiate between adolescent soccer players considering their level