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Int J Sports Med 2013; 34(04): 302-311
DOI: 10.1055/s-0032-1312603
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

A Field-Test Battery for Elite, Young Soccer Players

M. A. Hulse
1   Manchester United Limited, Manchester United Football Club, Manchester, United Kingdom
,
J. G. Morris
2   Institute of Youth Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough, United Kingdom
,
R. D. Hawkins
1   Manchester United Limited, Manchester United Football Club, Manchester, United Kingdom
,
A. Hodson
3   Alan Hodson Medical Associates Limited, Telford, United Kingdom
,
A. M. Nevill
4   Schoool of Sport, Performing Arts and Leisure, University of Wolverhampton, Wolverhampton, United Kingdom
,
M. E. Nevill
2   Institute of Youth Sport, School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough, United Kingdom
› Author Affiliations
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Publication History



accepted after revision 11 April 2012

Publication Date:
09 November 2012 (online)

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Abstract

The validity and reliability of a battery of field-based performance tests was examined. The opinions of coaches, fitness professionals and players (n=170, 172 and 101 respectively) on the importance of performance testing were established using a questionnaire. On 2 occasions, separated by 7 days, 80 elite, young soccer players (mean±SD [and range]: age 13.2±2.6 [8.9–19.1] years; stature 1.59±0.18 m [1.32–1.91]; body mass 50.6±17.1 [26.5–88.7] kg) completed a battery of field-based tests comprised of heart rate response to a submaximal Multi-stage fitness test, 3 types of vertical jump, sprints over 10 and 20 m, and an agility test. Physical performance testing was considered important by coaches (97%), fitness professionals (94%) and players (83%). The systematic bias ratio and the random error components of the 95% ratio limits of agreement for the first and second tests, for the U9–U11 vs. U12–U14 vs. U15–U18 age groups, were [Systematic bias (*/÷ ratio limits)]: Heart rate (Level 5): 0.983 (*/÷ 1.044) vs. 0.969 (*/÷ 1.056) vs. 0.983 (*/÷ 1.055); Rocket jump: 0998 (*/÷ 1.112) vs. 0.999 (*/÷ 1.106) vs. 0.996 (*/÷ 1.093); 10 m sprint: 0.997 (*/÷ 1.038) vs. 0.994 (*/÷ 1.033) vs. 0.994 (*/÷ 1.038); Agility test: 1.010 (*/÷1.050) vs. 1.014 (*/÷1.050) vs. 1.002 (*/÷1.053). All tests, except heart rate recovery from the Multi-stage fitness test, were able to distinguish between different ability and age groups of players (p<0.05). Thus, the field-test battery demonstrated logical and construct validity, and was shown to be a reliable and objective tool for assessing elite, young soccer players.

Key words

validity - reliability - vertical jump - speed - agility - heart rate
 

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