Performance Testing in Young Soccer Players

Evaluation of Soccer-specific Performance and Body Composition in Youth Soccer Players of Different Age Groups

The aim of this study is to investigate physiological characteristics, body composition and performance indicators among youth soccer players of four age categories (U-12, U-14, U-16, and U-18). Participants will undergo assessment of their body weight, body height and percent of body fat as well as performance testing including flexibility, strength, vertical jump, speed, repeated sprint ability, agility, dribbling and endurance.

Study Overview

• Status: Unknown
• Conditions: Physical Performance
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: Performance testing

Detailed Description

This study aims at investigating anthropometric, body composition and performance indicators among male youth soccer players. The study will be conducted prior to the preparation period. Initially, participants and their parents (for those under 18 years) will be informed about the benefits, risks and discomforts associated with the study and will provide a written consent. Participants will be instructed to refrain from strenuous exercise for at least 48 hours prior to testing and they will be also asked to consume their normal diet. Prior to testing all participants will be familiarized with testing procedures and specific test. Body weight will be measured on a seca beam balance. Participants' height will be measured by using a fixed stadiometer and the percent body fat will be calculated with bioelectrical impedance analysis. Flexibility will be assessed by using the sit and reach test and the lower body explosive strength will be determined through vertical jump testing (squat jump and counter movement jump without arm swing). Knee flexor and extensor strength will be assessed on an isokinetic dynamometer. Sprint performance will be assessed from a standing start over by infrared photocells with participants running 10m and 30m as fast as they can. The repeated sprint ability will be tested by using linear sprint test including 5 maximum sprints of 30 meters with a 25-second recovery period in-between. Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max) will be determined by open-circuit spirometry via breath-by-breath analysis during a graded exercise test to exhaustion on a treadmill. Furthermore, participants will be evaluated in agility by using the short dribbling test and the ability to recover after repeated intense exercise through the YO-YO Intermittent Recovery test 1 (only for u-16 and U-18 groups).

• Study Type: Observational
• Enrollment (Anticipated): 120

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• Greece
  • Trikala, Greece, 42100
    • University of Thessaly, School of Physical Education and Sports Science

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 11 years to 18 years (ADULT, CHILD)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Genders Eligible for Study: Male

• Sampling Method: Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Youth soccer players (aged 11-18 years) participating in regular soccer practice and competition with a training age of ≥ 3 years.

Description

Inclusion Criteria:

• Aged between 11 and 12 years
• Active soccer players participating in regular soccer practice and competition
• Training age ≥ 3 years
• Free of chronic diseases
• Free of musculoskeletal injury

Exclusion Criteria:

• Musculoskeletal injury
• Chronic disease
• Training age ≤ 2 years

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Number of groups / cohorts

4

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort	Intervention / Treatment
Under-12 (U12) players	Other: Performance testing; Soccer-specific performance will be evaluated by measuring flexibility, jumping ability, maximum speed, repeated spring ability, agility and endurance.
Under-14 (U14) players	Other: Performance testing; Soccer-specific performance will be evaluated by measuring flexibility, jumping ability, maximum speed, repeated spring ability, agility and endurance.
Under-16 (U16) players	Other: Performance testing; Soccer-specific performance will be evaluated by measuring flexibility, jumping ability, maximum speed, repeated spring ability, agility and endurance.
Under-18 (U18) players	Other: Performance testing; Soccer-specific performance will be evaluated by measuring flexibility, jumping ability, maximum speed, repeated spring ability, agility and endurance.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Flexibility	Flexibility will be assessed by using the sit-and-reach test	At baseline
Jumping ability	Jumping ability will be assessed by measuring the vertical jumping performance using two different techniques: i) countermovement and ii) squat jump.	At baseline
Maximum speed	Maximum speed will be assessed over 10 m and 30 m by using light cells	At baseline
Repeated sprint ability	Repeated sprint ability will be assessed by performing five 30-m sprints with 25 seconds recovery period in-between, and using light cells.	At baseline
Agility	The ability to change direction while dribbling the ball (termed agility) will be assessed by using the short dribbling test (performed according to standard procedures).	At baseline
Endurance	Endurance will be assessed by using the Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery test level 1	At baseline
Maximal oxygen consumption (VO2max)	Maximal oxygen consumption will be measured by open-circuit spirometry via breath-by-breath analysis during a graded exercise test to exhaustion on a treadmill, using automated pulmonary gas exchange system.	At baseline
Knee flexor and extensor strength	Concentric and eccentric peak torque of knee flexors and extensors in both limbs (dominant and non-dominant) will be assessed on an isokinetic dynamometer	At baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure	Measure Description	Time Frame
Body height	Body height will be measured on a beam balance with stadiometer.	At baseline
Body weight	Body weight will be measured on a beam balance with stadiometer.	At baseline
Body composition	Body fat and fat-free mass will be estimated by using bioelectrical impedance.	At baseline

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: University of Thessaly
• Investigators: Principal Investigator: Athanasios Poulios, PhD, University of Thessaly

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start (ANTICIPATED): August 5, 2020
• Primary Completion (ANTICIPATED): August 30, 2020
• Study Completion (ANTICIPATED): September 10, 2020

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: June 24, 2020
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 28, 2020
• First Posted (ACTUAL): July 2, 2020

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (ACTUAL): July 2, 2020
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 28, 2020
• Last Verified: June 1, 2020

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: soccer; performance; youth
• Other Study ID Numbers: YOUTH SOCCER STUDY-UTH-2020

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

• Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?: UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No