Age-related differences in anthropometric characteristics and performance of youth soccer players: A comparison between U14 and U16 athletes

Abstract

Coaches and scientists have long been interested in the athletic development of young soccer players, investigating data such as anthropometric characteristics and performance indicators that playing an important role in talent identification. This study aimed to evaluate, and compare anthropometric measures, body composition, and performance indicators among U14 (13–14 years old) and U16 (15–16 years old) youth soccer players during the pre-competitive period. 12 pre-adolescent and 12 adolescent soccer players were participated. Height, body weight (BW), body mass index (BMI), body fat percentage (BF), fat mass (FM), muscle mass (MM), fat-free mass (FFM), flexibility, agility, squat and countermovement jumps (SJ and CMJ), YO- YOIntermittent Recovery 1 test (YO-YOIR1), sprint test (10 and 30m) and the repeated sprint ability (RSA) were evaluated. The statistical analysis revealed differences in height (p=.000), BW (p=.008), BF% (p=.008), FFM (p=.001), MM (p=.001), vertical jump ability (p= .001), 10-m sprint (p=.011) and RSA (p=.019). No differences were detected in other performance and body composition indicators (p>.05). In conclusion, the adolescent athletes demonstrated better performance in sprinting and jumping ability compared with the preadolescent athletes, despite both age groups having remained inactive and consequently untrained for an extended period.