Citation
Barvero Álvarez, José C. and Gómez Lopez, María Teresa and Castagna, Carlo and Barbero Álvarez, Verónica and Romero, David V. and Blanchfield, Anthony W. and Nakamura, Fabio Y.
(2017).
Game Demands of Seven-A-Side Soccer in Young Players.
"Journal of Strength & Conditioning Research", v. 31
(n. 7);
pp. 1771-1779.
ISSN 1064-8011.
https://doi.org/10.1519/JSC.0000000000001143.
Abstract
The aim of this study was to examine the activity patterns and physiological demands of 7-a-side youth soccer matches across 2 chronological age categories (U12 and U14). Twenty-two soccer players of a national youth soccer academy were investigated. Players of each age category performed 2 training matches (2 3 25 minutes) and were monitored by global positioning system and heart rate monitor units. Players of both categories covered similar total distance (5,348 6 307 m), at similar mean heart rate values (86 6 4% of maximum). However, the number of high-intensity runs (82.5 6 17.4 vs. 69.7 6 15.2) and total distance covered during sprints (264 6 207 vs. 128 6 74 m) were significantly (p # 0.05) higher in U14 compared with U12. The results suggest a highly demanding nature of 7-a-side soccer for skilled players, with physical maturity possibly influencing the match-related high-intensity performance at these ages.
