Power, Linear Speed, and Change-Of-Direction Performance Comparisons Across Three Age Categories of Non-Resistance Trained Individuals

Abstract

The purpose of present study was to compare lower limb power, linear speed, and change of direction performance in non-resistance trained soccer athletes across three distinct age categories (U15, U17, and U20). Seventy-six male soccer athletes of the same professional club participated in this study [U15 (n=25), U17 (n=20) e U20 (n=31)]. All participants were familiar with the assessments and completed all tests in a single session. Tests were performed at the end of the pre-season in the following sequence: a) squat jump (SJ); b) countermovement vertical jump (CMJ); c) linear sprint test (20-m); and d) change of direction test (COD-test). U20 athletes presented better perfomance than the under-15 and under-17 athletes in the sprint and CMJ (p < 0.001). The U20 athletes performed better than under-17 in COD-test and SJ (p < 0.001). The U17 athletes performed better than under-20 athletes in the COD deficit (p < 0.001). The U17 athletes performed better than under-15 athletes in the COD-test (p < 0.001). No significant differences were observed between the U15 and U17 athletes in sprint, COD deficit, CMJ, and SJ (p > 0.05). No differences were observed between the U20 and U15 athletes in COD deficit and SJ (p > 0.05). These results suggest that older nonresistance trained athletes, with greater chronological maturation, and close to the transitional period to the professional level, presented better performance versus the younger age categories.