2013 Volume 10 Pages 10-17
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among chronological age (CA), peak height velocity age (PHVA) and sprint ability in elite and sub-elite pubescent soccer players. Subjects were 16 elite male soccer players aged 12.8 ± 0.2 years and 48 sub-elite male soccer players aged 12.8 ± 0.2 years in the U-13 (under 13 years old) category. Relative peak height velocity age (RPHVA) was calculated using the BTT model, and 20 m sprint time (sprint ability) was measured. Correlation analysis was performed to investigate the relationship between each age (CA, PHVA and RPHVA) and 20 m sprint time. Decision tree analysis and linear discriminant analysis were performed to examine the difference between elite and subelite pubescent soccer players. Decision tree analysis confirmed that the first factor in the selection result of pubescent elite soccer players was 20 m sprint time (≤3.29 sec). The second and third factors were 20 m sprint time (≤3.41 sec) and RPHVA (≤-0.44 years). In conclusion, the maturity exerted an influence on the sprint ability of pubescent male soccer players, and players with higher sprint ability compared with their maturity tended to be selected. These results suggest that the evaluation of pubescent soccer players should include sprint ability and maturity.
