Age-related differences in linear sprint in adolescent female soccer players

Abstract

Background: Several studies have observed the contribution of chronological age, biological maturation, and anthropometric characteristics to sprinting performance in young soccer players. Nevertheless, there are no studies that have analysed the contribution of these characteristics to running speed qualities in adolescent female soccer players. Objective: This study investigated age-related diferences in sprint performance in adolescent female soccer players. Also, it examined the possible infuence of anthropometry [body mass and body mass index (BMI)] and biological maturation [age at peak height velocity (APHV)] in sprint performance. Methods: Eighty adolescent female soccer players [under (U) 14, n=20; U16, n=37; U18, n=23] participated in this study. Players were tested for 40 m sprint (each 10 m split times). Results: Posthoc analysis revealed better performance in all split sprint times of older soccer players (U18 and U16) compared with younger category (F: 3.380 to 6.169; p0.05). Finally, the results indicate that BMI and body mass were signifcantly correlated with 40 m sprint (p<0.005;r:-0.31) and 20 m m fying (p<0.001;r:0.38), respectively. Conclusion: In the present players’ sample, body mass and BMI had a signifcant impact on running speed qualities.