Laboratory and exercise fitness control in young soccer players

Abstract

Athletes in prepubescent require a specialized approach to training process and its control, taking into consideration a broad range of physiological and training aspects in adolescents. The objective of the study was to evaluate fitness level of young soccer players and the search for interrelations between parameters of laboratory and field tests with the physiologic measurements during match play. The proposed paper provides coaches, sports scientists and physicians with important information on sufficient fitness control based on accessible and reliable tests. Twenty six healthy male soccer players born in 2004 aged 12–13 underwent the following laboratory testing: cycling stress-test with gas-exchange measurements, Wingate cycling test, performance analysis for vertical jumps and blood lactate measurements. Field tests included maximal interval running field test and jumping tests, as well as soccer game analysis with heart rate monitoring. Obtained data described overall parameters of young soccer players aged 12–13 from laboratory, field tests and game analysis with further comprehensive detailed interpretation. Significant interrelations between indicators of fitness condition, obtained from laboratory and field tests were found. For successful training management in young soccer players, laboratory and field tests should be widely used.