| Popis: |
The aim of the current study was to compare match running distance and intermittent-endurance fitness of male youth soccer players according to league tiers. Participants were 119 outfield players (central defenders (CD), wide defenders (WD) and central midfielders (CM)) who belonged to an under-18 soccer league in tier 1 (T1), tier 2 (T2) or tier 3 (T3) in Japan. Forty-one, 11-a-side official league matches (all 4-4-2 formation) were analyzed (149 complete match-files) using a Global Positioning System (15Hz). The players performed the Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 2 (YYIR2) to determine intermittent-endurance fitness. CD covered more than 14% less high-intensity running (HIR) and very high-intensity running (VHIR) distance in T1 than T2 and T3 (all P < 0.05). WD covered 12-20% greater HIR and VHIR distance in T2 than T1 and T3 (all P < 0.05). CM sprinted at least 27% greater distance in T1 (P < 0.01) and T2 (P < 0.05) than T3. Moreover, CM covered at least 12% greater YYIR2 distance in T1 (P < 0.01) and T3 (P < 0.05) compared to T2. In youth soccer, match running distance at high-speeds varies with league tiers depending on playing position and intermittent-endurance fitness may not be a determinant of such performance when 4-4-2 formation is employed. |
