Comparison of Repetitive Sprint Performance for the U16 and U18 Category Soccer Players

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine 20-meter repetitive sprint performance every 20 seconds in the U 16 and U18 category soccer players. It is also to create normative data for 20-meter repetitive sprint performance for football players. In our study, 22 players at Soccer’s U16 category and 23 players at Soccer’s at U18 category performed a test of 10 repetitive 20-meter sprints at every 20 seconds. On the statistical analysis, t-tests were used for the comparison of two groups. In order to determine the effect of average speed and the sprint quantity for the groups, two ways analysis of variance were done. In U16 and U18 category soccer players, it’s founded out that the difference of age and weight is meaningful (p<0,001). However; the height difference wasn’t meaningful (p>0,05). In this study, it is the running speed of 20 meters found to be 5.10 m/ sec for U16 and 5.42 m/ sec for U18 soccer players. At the U16 category, the least value at 1-2 speed run was 5.03 m/sec and the highest value was 5.99m/sec. At the U18 category, the least value was 4.91 m/sec and the highest value was 7.37 m/sec. Also, it was found out that the decrease in average speed for 20-meter repetition sprint was %14.10 for U16 and %14.80 for U18. In between U16 and U18 category soccer players, it is conducted that a difference on the average speed in the first two Sprints and the average speed in the last 2 Sprints (p<0,001). In addition, the difference between the average speed of the first two sprints for each group and the average of the last two sprints were significant (p<0.001). Conclusion: Results of the age groups of U16 and U18 revealed no major differences for a 20 meter repeated sprint runs. U16 and U18 category soccer players performed a test of 10 pieces of 20-meter repetitive sprints at each 20 seconds for capacity development. The speed performance of U16 and U18 soccer players during the play should be recorded. The physical and the speed ability differences of soccer players should be evaluated at the beginning, during and at the end of the season. A coach can improve soccer players’ anaerobic capacities with 20-meter sprints. They can increase the resistance to density by doing 10 repetitions of 20-meter sprint. Thus, the development of specific training programs aiming to improve the sprint ability is recommended. © 2019 by authors, all rights reserved.