Profiling anthropometric characteristics and functional performance of 12 to 18-year-old elite junior soccer players

Profiling athletes is of importance for discerning anthropometric, physiological and other characteristics that distinguish the studied group from other subject populations. Despite the outstanding popularity of soccer, there is a lack of the data related to the player profiles, particularly those that compare elite junior competitors of different age. Within the present study the members of the national male junior soccer teams of 13 (N = 27), 15 (N = 18), 16 (N = 19), 17 (N = 20) and 18 years of age (N = 18) were tested. In addition to some standard anthropometric and physiological tests, several predominantly sport-specific tests were also applied. A number of the tested variables proved to discriminate between the tested players and other athletes of similar age. However, the recorded physiological and sport-specific performance demonstrated no differences within the 16 and 18-years of age, being also close to the results observed on elite senior soccer players. We conclude that the obtained profiles predominantly based on standard tests are more likely to be valid for earlier age of junior soccer players, while the more advanced age could require involving predominantly sport-specific tests, particularly those assessing technical and tactical skills.