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Int J Sports Med 2015; 36(03): 234-240
DOI: 10.1055/s-0034-1385881
Training & Testing
© Georg Thieme Verlag KG Stuttgart · New York

Longitudinal Field Test Assessment in a Basque Soccer Youth Academy: A Multilevel Modeling Framework to Partition Effects of Maturation

I. Bidaurrazaga-Letona
1   Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Basque Country, Spain
,
H. M. Carvalho
2   Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Portugal
,
J. A. Lekue
3   Medical Services, Athletic Club de Bilbao
,
J. Santos-Concejero
4   UCT/MRC Research Unit for Exercise Science and Sports Medicine, Department of Human Biology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town, Cape Town, South Africa
,
A. J. Figueiredo
2   Faculty of Sport Sciences and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, Portugal
,
S. M. Gil
1   Faculty of Physical Activity and Sport Sciences, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Basque Country, Spain
› Author Affiliations
Further Information

Publication History



accepted after revision 17 June 2014

Publication Date:
27 November 2014 (online)

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Abstract

The purpose of the study was to examine the effect of age on short-term performance indicators applying multilevel regression modeling, and whether changes induced by age were affected by maturation. The study applied a mixed longitudinal approach with 8 measurement points over a period of 4 years. Anthropometry, predicted adult stature, countermovement jump, 15-m sprint and agility test from 38 under-11 young soccer players were considered. Early maturing players were 3% taller compared to late maturers. A substantial effect of age was present in all performance indicators (P<0.05). Parameters showed improvements in performance, even when accounting for interindividual variation in somatic maturity. Vertical jump tended to be stable in early maturers during the first year, presenting an exponential increase thereafter (16%, P<0.05). Additionally, early maturing boys had lower vertical jump scores but a substantial higher rate of development with age (3% per year). Performance tends to plateau during the first 3 years following the improvements in agility (9.1%, P<0.05). In the running tests, early maturers had better performances (19%, P<0.05), while a higher rate of improvement of 1% was observed for the late maturers. Young soccer players should be expected to have substantial improvements in short-term performance, influenced by independent variation between players in maturity status.

Key words

maturation - multilevel regression models - fitness - adolescent - athlete - longitudinal
 

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