John Iga

Talent identification in youth soccer

Abstract The purpose of this review article was firstly to evaluate the traditional approach to talent identification in youth soccer and secondly present pilot data on a more holistic method for talent identification. Research evidence exists to suggest that talent identification mechanisms that are predicated upon the physical (anthropometric) attributes of the early maturing individual only serve to identify current performance levels. Greater body mass and stature have both been related to faster ball shooting speed and vertical jump capacity respectively in elite youth soccer players. This approach, however, may prematurely exclude those late maturing individuals. Multiple physiological measures have also been used in an effort to determine key predictors of performance; with agility and sprint times, being identified as variables that could discriminate between elite and sub-elite groups of adolescent soccer players. Successful soccer performance is the product of multiple systems interacting with one another. Consequently, a more holistic approach to talent identification should be considered. Recent work, with elite youth soccer players, has considered whether multiple small-sided games could act as a talent identification tool in this population. The results demonstrated that there was a moderate agreement between the more technically gifted soccer player and success during multiple small-sided games.

The evaluation of small-sided games as a talent identification tool in highly trained prepubertal soccer players

ABSTRACT The aim of this study was to evaluate physiological and technical attributes of prepubertal soccer players during multiple small-sided games (SSGs), and determine if SSGs can act as a talent identification tool. Sixteen highly trained U10 soccer players participated and separated into two groups of eight. Each group played six small-sided (4 vs. 4) matches of 5-min duration. Each player was awarded total points for the match result and goals scored. A game technical scoring chart was used to rate each player’s performance during each game. Time-motion characteristics were measured using micromechanical devices. Total points had a very large significant relationship with game technical scoring chart (r = 0.758, P < 0.001). High-speed running distance had a significantly large correlation with game technical scoring chart (r = 0.547, P < 0.05). Total distance covered had a significant and moderate correlation with game technical scoring chart (r = 0.545, P < 0.05) and total points (r = 0.438, P < 0.05). The results demonstrated a large agreement between the highest-rated players and success in multiple SSGs, possibly due to higher-rated players covering larger distances in total and at high speed. Consequently, multiple SSG could be used to identify the more talented prepubertal soccer players.

Implementing concurrent-training and nutritional strategies in professional football: a complex challenge for coaches and practitioners

ABSTRACT Purpose: To study concurrent-training (CT) and nutritional practices within a professional soccer team. Methods: Twenty-one professional football players competing in the English professional league participated in this study (mean ± standard deviations [M ± SD] 26 ± 4 years, stature 1.84 ± 0.1 m, body mass 83 ± 7 kg, VO2max; 58 ± 3 ml · kg−1 · min−1). A range of internal and external training metrics, the organisation of CT (training sequence, training rest period between bouts) and the nutritional intake around CT (timing, type and quantity) was collected for 10 weeks. Results: CT; n = 17 (endurance-training [ET] + resistance-training [RT]; n = 11; RT + ET; n = 6) rest period between bouts was not consistent and varied depending on the sequence of CT (RT + ET, 75 ± 48 min; ET + RT; 60 ± 5 min; P = 0.04). sRPE of football-specific ET was higher in RT + ET (RT + ET, 7 ± 1; ET + RT, 6 ± 1; P = 0.05). The timing of meals around training was influenced by the organisation of CT. Subsequently, CHO consumption before training session one was significantly less in RT + ET (CHO 0.10 ± 0.5 g · kg−1 vs. CHO 0.45 ± 0.2 g · kg−1). Conclusion: The present data demonstrate that the organisation of CT (i.e., exercise order and/or recovery time between bouts) and nutrition (i.e., timing of meal intake) can be unsystematic in the applied environment. The organisation of training and nutrition might influence the players’ ability to perform high-intensity actions in secondary training sessions and could potentially impact acute metabolic processes associated with muscle recovery and muscle adaptation.

Reliability of heart rate responses both during and following a 6 min Yo-Yo IR1 test in highly trained youth soccer players

ABSTRACT Purpose: To examine the reliability of heart rate (HR) measures obtained during a 6-min Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test Level 1 (Yo-Yo IR1), and following a 3-min passive recovery, within a group of highly trained youth soccer players Methods: Eight players completed three separate 6-min Yo-Yo IR1 tests, with a passive recovery, over a 2-week period. Measures of absolute heart rate (bpm) and relative HR (%HRmax) were obtained at the 3rd and 6th min of the test, with measures relative to the end HR (%HRend) 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, and 180 s, during the 3-min passive recovery. Variability in HR measures were assessed across successive trials (trial 1 vs. 2 and trial 2 vs. 3) and across all three trials, using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC), coefficient of variation (CV) and typical error (TE). Results: HR measures obtained during the 6-min Yo-Yo IR1 test displayed good levels of reliability (ICC: 0.95–0.98, CV: 1.1–1.3% and TE: 0.96–2.44). Results, display a potential learning effect, with lower levels of variability between trial 2 and trial 3. Examination of %HRend obtained during the passive 3-min recovery demonstrated an increased variance, as the passive-recovery period progressed. Conclusion: The 6-min Yo-Yo IR1 test presents a novel and potentially practical approach to regularly assessing youth soccer players’ physical response to intermittent exercise. Practitioners and researchers should, however, consider the need for appropriate familiarisation when undertaking this test.

Reliability of ‘in-season’ fitness assessments in youth elite soccer players: a working model for practitioners and coaches.

ABSTRACT Purpose: To assess the reliability of a battery of field tests when performed around habitual training during one micro-cycle of the “in-season” period in youth elite soccer players. Methods: n = 19 English Premier League academy players (mean ± SD: age, 18.3 ± 0.2 years; stature, 1.80 ± 0.05 m; body mass, 76.5 ± 7.5 kg; O2 max, 62.3 ± 4.38 ml · kg−1 · min−1; sum of 8 skinfolds, 64.8 ± 17.4 mm) performed; “1RM half-back squat (HBS)”, “vertical jump” (VJ), “Yo-Yo IR2”, “5, 10 & 20 m, sprint”, change of direction “CoD test”, “repeated sprint ability” assessments around their habitual “in-season” training and match-play on two occasions. Intraclass correlations (ICC), typical errors, coefficient of variations (CV), effect sizes and the smallest difference needed to be considered real (MD) were calculated for each test. Results: Most assessments demonstrated good levels of variability (CV; 0.3–4.3%, ICC; 0.83–0.99). To witness an “almost certain beneficial change” (i.e., >MD), changes of approximately 5% are needed for RSAbest, RSAmean, 10m and 20m sprint, “CoD” and 1RM HBS. Whereas, changes of 9–11.5% for CMJ, 5m sprint and Yo-Yo IR2 are needed. Conclusions: The present training and testing “model” is reliable and could be used when evaluating the fitness of highly trained youth elite soccer players during the “in-season” period.

Influence of Cardio-Respiratory Fitness on Physical Performance in Elite Youth Soccer

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between: Peak oxygen uptake (VO2max) and running economy (RE) with physical measures associated with elite youth soccer performance obtained during soccer match-play. Seventeen highly trained youth soccer players (age: 13.3±0.4y) volunteered to participate. Initially player’s ventilatory threshold (VT) and VO2max was established using a treadmill protocol. On the subsequent visit, players ran for 4 min, at three different speeds (8km/h, 80%VT and 95%VT). Physical soccer-based performance was assessed using a maximal Yo-Yo IR1 and via Global positioning systems (GPS) derived variables obtained during three, 2x20min, 11 v 11 soccer matches. Partial correlations revealed significant relationships between relative VO2max and measures of physical soccer performance (r = 0.54–0.88). Moreover, measures of ventilatory equivalent (VEVO2), a determinant of RE, at all sub-maximal exercise intensities were inversely related to the volume (m) and percentage (%) of very high intensity activities. Current findings emphasise the need for high levels of cardio-respiratory fitness in high level youth soccer players, with superior levels of fitness being associated with a greater amount of high and very high intensity activity during soccer match-play.

The evaluation of small sided games as a talent identification mechanism in elite youth football

Economy of movement is defmed as the mass related aerobic demand (V02 mL·kg-l·min-l) or energy expenditure required to run or walk at a given submaximal speed (Morgan, 2000). It has been well established that children have a lower economy compared to adults (Rowland and Green, 1988; Rowland et al., 1987; Unnithan and Eston, 1990). This means that at any given walking or running speed, children exhibit a higher weight relative V02compared to that of an adult. The difference in economy between children and adults is thought to be due to differences in stride frequency (SF), leg length, body-surface-area to mass ratio (BSA:M), body mass index (BMI), and ventilatory efficiency (Rowland et al., 1987; Rowland and Green, 1988; Unnithan and Eston, 1990).