Motion Analysis of Match Play in New Zealand U13 to U15 Age-Group Soccer Players

Atan, SA, Foskett, A, and Ali, A. Motion analysis of match play in New Zealand U13 to U15 age-group soccer players. J Strength Cond Res 30(9): 2416-2423, 2016The purpose of this study was to investigate motion analysis in 85 players (U13-U15 years) from Auckland's Metropolitan League during 2 competitive soccer matches. Five-Hz global positioning system (with interpolated 10-Hz output) units were used to measure total distance (absolute and relative) and time spent in standing, walking, low-intensity running, medium-intensity running, high-intensity running, and sprinting. Speed thresholds for each match activity were determined through mean 10-m flying sprint peak speed for each age group. Under 15 years (U15, 6600 +/- 1480 m) covered more absolute distance because of longer playing time than under 14 years (U14, 5385 +/- 1296 m, p = 0.001) and under 13 years (U13, 4516 +/- 702.6 m, p = 0.001). However, there were no differences in relative distances covered (U15, 94.5 +/- 11.2 mmin(-1), U14, 96.1 +/- 11.9 mmin(-1), U15, 97.3 +/- 17.6 mmin(-1), p = 0.685). Maximum speed attained during the match was faster for U15 (26.5 +/- 1.68 kmh(-1)) than U14 (25.4 +/- 1.93 kmh(-1), p = 0.022) and U13 (23.5 +/- 1.74 kmh(-1), p = 0.001); there were no differences in average distance per sprint, with all age groups covering approximate to 16 m per sprint (p = 0.603). The current findings provide useful information for developing specific training programs for young soccer players and a framework for developing age-specific soccer simulation protocols.