Differences in the acceleration, change of direction and jumping capacity between different ages soccer players

Abstract

The main objectives of this study were to analyze: acceleration capacity; change of direction ability (CODA); vertical jump (VJ); and horizontal jump (HJ); in under 16 and under 18 footballers and to determine the differences in these qualities according to category. The total sample (n = 34) was divided into two groups according to the category in which the subjects competed. Group 1 (U16, n = 17), competed in the U16 Basque League (15.12 ± 0.70 years) while Group 2 (U18, n = 17) competed in the National U18 League (16.94 ± 0.90 years). Significant differences were found between the U16 and U18 categories in acceleration capacity (p < 0.01, d = 1.6, high), but not in CODA (p > 0.05, d = 0.3, low). With respect to jump capacity, the U18 players recorded a greater capacity for the horizontal jump (p < 0.01, d > 0.8, high). However, these differences were not evident in all the types of vertical jump. In the vertical jump without a countermovement (VSJ) similar values (p > 0.05, d = 0.3, low) were recorded by the players of different ages. However, significant differences were obtained in the elastic index (IE, p < 0.05, d = 0.9, high) and moderate or high effect sizes in the vertical countermovement jump (VCMJ, p > 0.05, d = 0.6, high) and in the arm swing vertical countermovement jump (VCMJAS, p > 0.05, d = 0.9). The results suggest that it could be of benefit to use tests of acceleration and vertical jump, using the stretch shortening cycle and horizontal jump, to analyze performance in young footballers.