Download PDF
Int J Sports Med 2010; 31(3): 174-179
DOI: 10.1055/s-0029-1243254
Training & Testing

© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Soccer Endurance Development in Professionals

C. R. Roescher1 , M. T. Elferink-Gemser1 , B. C. H. Huijgen1 , C. Visscher1
  • 1University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, Center for Human Movement Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands
Further Information

Publication History

accepted after revision November 12, 2009

Publication Date:
15 February 2010 (online)

Also available at
    Permissions and Reprints

Abstract

The development of intermittent endurance capacity, its underlying mechanisms and role in reaching professional level in soccer was investigated. The sample included 130 talented youth soccer players aged 14–18, who became professional (n=53) or non-professional (n=77) players in adulthood. In total 229 Interval Shuttle Run Test (ISRT) scores were taken over five years. Players who became professionals improved from age 14 to 18 on average from 68 to 109 runs in contrast to players who remained amateurs (from 73 to 93 runs). A longitudinal model was developed using linear mixed models procedures. Intermittent endurance capacity can be predicted adequately with a two-level hierarchical model (p<0.05). Anthropometric characteristics and playing position did not improve model fit (p>0.05). The estimated ISRT score necessary to reach professional level is: ISRT=−375.77−62.89+(51.20+4.20) * age–1.50 * age2+3.54 * hours of soccer training+1.18 * additional training hours. In conclusion, intermittent endurance capacity improves with age in talented youth soccer players. From age 15 players who reached the professional level show a faster development than their non-professional counterparts. This development is positively influenced by both soccer specific and additional training.

Key words

Intermittent endurance capacity - physiological characteristics - performance level - longitudinal - talent identification - training

References

  • 1 Balsom PD, Seger JY, Sjodin B, Ekblom B. Maximal-intensity intermittent exercise: Effect of recovery duration.  Int J Sports Med. 1992;  13 528-533
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 2 Beunen G, Thomis M, Maes HH, Loos R, Malina RM, Claessens AL, Vlietinck R. Genetic variance of adolescent growth in stature.  Ann Hum Biol. 2000;  27 173-186
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 3 Boisseau N, Delamarche P. Metabolic and hormonal responses to exercise in children and adolescents.  Sports Med. 2000;  30 405-422
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 4 Chamari K, Hachana Y, Ahmed YB, Galy O, Sghaier F, Chatard JC, Hue O, Wisloff U. Field and laboratory testing in young elite soccer players.  Br J Sports Med. 2004;  38 191-196
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 5 Cometti G, Maffiuletti NA, Pousson M, Chatard JC, Maffulli N. Isokinetic strength and anaerobic power of elite, subelite and amateur French soccer players.  Int J Sports Med. 2001;  22 45-51
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 6 Di Salvo V, Baron R, Tschan H, Calderon Montero FJ, Bachl N, Pigozzi F. Performance characteristics according to playing position in elite soccer.  Int J Sports Med. 2007;  28 222-227
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 7 Elferink-Gemser MT, Visscher C, van Duijn MA, Lemmink KA. Development of the interval endurance capacity in elite and sub-elite youth field hockey players.  Br J Sports Med. 2006;  40 340-345
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 8 Ericsson KA, Krampe RT, Teschromer C. The role of deliberate practice in the acquisition of expert performance.  Psychol Rev. 1993;  100 363-406
    Google Scholar
  • 9 Gabbett TJ. Physiological characteristics of junior and senior rugby league players.  Br J Sports Med. 2002;  36 334-339
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 10 Gellish RL, Goslin BR, Olson RE, McDonald A, Russi GD, Moudgil VK. Longitudinal modeling of the relationship between age and maximal heart rate.  Med Sci Sport Exer. 2007;  39 822-829
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 11 Glaister M. Multiple sprint work: physiological responses, mechanisms of fatigue and the influence of aerobic fitness.  Sports Med. 2005;  35 757-777
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 12 Harris DJ, Atkinson G. International Journal of Sports Medicine – Ethical Standards in Sport and Exercise Science Research.  Int J Sports Med. 2009;  30 701-702
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 13 Helsen WF, Hodges NJ, Van Winckel J, Starkes JL. The roles of talent, physical precocity and practice in the development of soccer expertise.  J Sports Sci. 2000;  18 727-736
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 14 Hoff J. Training and testing physical capacities for elite soccer players.  J Sports Sci. 2005;  23 573-582
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 15 Huijgen BCH, Elferink-Gemser MT, Post WJ, Visscher C. Soccer skill development in professionals.  Int J Sports Med. 2009;  30 585-591
    Article in Thieme ConnectPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 16 Jankovic S, Matkovic BR, Matkovic B. Functional abilities and process of selection in soccer. Communication to the 9th European Congress on Sports Medicine, Porto, Portugal: 23-26 September 1997
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 17 Landau S, Everitt BS. Analysis of repeated measures II: Linear mixed model. Boca Raton, Fl: Chapman & Hall; 2004
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 18 Lemmink KAPM, Visscher C, Lambert MI, Lamberts RP. The interval shuttle run test for intermittent sport players: Evaluation of reliability.  J Strength Cond Res. 2004;  18 821-827
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 19 Malina RM, Eisenmann JC, Cumming SP, Ribeiro B, Aroso J. Maturity associated variation in the growth and functional capacities of youth football (soccer) players 13–15 years.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2004;  91 555-562
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 20 McMillan K, Helgerud J, Macdonald R, Hoff J. Physiological adaptations to soccer specific endurance training in professional youth soccer players.  Br J Sports Med. 2005;  39 273-277
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 21 Meir R, Newton R, Curtis E, Fardell M, Butler B. Physical fitness qualities of professional rugby league football players: determination of positional differences.  J Strength Cond Res. 2001;  15 450-458
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 22 Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. Match performance of high-standard soccer players with special reference to development of fatigue.  J Sports Sci. 2003;  21 519-528
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 23 Mohr M, Krustrup P, Bangsbo J. Fatigue in soccer: a brief review.  J Sports Sci. 2005;  23 593-599
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 24 Morris T. Psychological characteristics and talent identification in soccer.  J Sports Sci. 2000;  18 715-726
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 25 Naughton G, Farpour-Lambert NJ, Carlson J, Bradney M, Van PE. Physiological issues surrounding the performance of adolescent athletes.  Sports Med. 2000;  30 309-325
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 26 Negrete R, Brophy J. The relationship between isokinetic open and closed chain lower extremity strength and functional performance.  J Sport Rehabil. 2000;  9 46-61
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 27 Pearson DT, Naughton GA, Torode M. Predictability of physiological testing and the role of maturation in talent identification for adolescent team sports.  J Sci Med Sport. 2006;  9 277-287
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 28 Peugh JL, Enders CK. Using the SPSS Mixed procedure to fit cross-sectional and longitudinal multilevel models.  Educ Psych Meas. 2005;  65 717-741
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 29 Philippaerts RM, Vaeyens R, Janssens M, Van RB, Matthys D, Craen R, Bourgois J, Vrijens J, Beunen G, Malina RM. The relationship between peak height velocity and physical performance in youth soccer players.  J Sports Sci. 2006;  24 221-230
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 30 Reilly T. Energetics of high-intensity exercise (soccer) with particular reference to fatigue.  J Sports Sci. 1997;  15 257-263
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 31 Reilly T, Bangsbo J, Franks A. Anthropometric and physiological predispositions for elite soccer.  J Sports Sci. 2000;  18 669-683
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 32 Reilly T, Williams AM, Nevill A, Franks A. A multidisciplinary approach to talent identification in soccer.  J Sports Sci. 2000;  18 695-702
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 33 Spencer M, Bishop D, Dawson B, Goodman C. Physiological and metabolic responses of repeated-sprint activities: specific to field-based team sports.  Sports Med. 2005;  35 1025-1044
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 34 SPSS Inc .Linear Mixed-Effects Modeling in SPSS: an introduction to the mixed procedure. SPSS Inc. Technical Report 2005
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 35 Stolen T, Chamari K, Castagna C, Wisloff U. Physiology of soccer: an update.  Sports Med. 2005;  35 501-536
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 36 Visscher C, Elferink-Gemser MT, Lemmink KAPM. Interval endurance capacity of talented youth soccer players.  Percept Motor Skill. 2006;  102 81-86
    PubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 37 Williams AM, Reilly T. Talent identification and development in soccer.  J Sports Sci. 2000;  18 657-667
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar
  • 38 Wisloff U, Helgerud J, Hoff J. Strength and endurance of elite soccer players.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1998;  30 462-467
    CrossrefPubMedGoogle Scholar

Correspondence

Barbara CH Huijgen

University Medical Center Groningen

University of Groningen

Center for Human Movement Sciences

Antonius Deusinglaan 1

Groningen

The Netherlands

9713 AV

Phone: +31 50 363 6231

Fax: +31 (0)50 363 3150

Email: b.c.h.huijgen@med.umcg.nl