RESUMO

This study compared variation in size, function and sport-specific technical skills of youth soccer players associated with differences in biological maturity status. 60 male soccer players of under-14 (U14) and under-17 (U17) categories were submitted to anthropometric and body composition measurements as well as motor and soccer-specific technical skill tests. Skeletal maturity was determined by skeletal age. Athletes of both categories were classified as early, on-time or late-maturing, according to the difference between chronological age and skeletal age. Body mass and height were lower in the late athletes, independent of category (P<0.01). Differences in adiposity were found only between athletes of the U14 (late

Assuntos

Determinação da Idade pelo Esqueleto , Desempenho Atlético/fisiologia , Futebol , Adiposidade , Adolescente , Desenvolvimento do Adolescente , Fatores Etários , Antropometria , Atletas , Estatura , Tamanho Corporal , Aptidão Cardiorrespiratória , Criança , Humanos , Masculino , Destreza Motora , Força Muscular

RESUMO

The contribution of chronological age, skeletal age (Fels method) and body size to variance in peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test was examined in 3 competitive age groups of Brazilian male soccer players: 10-11 years (U-12, n=15), 12-13 years (U-14, n=54) and 14-15 years (U-16, n=23). Body size and soccer-specific aerobic fitness were measured. Body composition was predicted from skinfolds. Analysis of variance and covariance (controlling for chronological age) were used to compare soccer players by age group and by skeletal maturity status within of each age group, respectively. Relative skeletal age (skeletal age minus chronological age), body size, estimated fat-free mass and performance on the Carminatti Test increased significantly with age. Carminatti Test performance did not differ among players of contrasting skeletal maturity status in the 3 age groups. Results of multiple linear regressions indicated fat mass (negative) and chronological age (positive) were significant predictors of peak velocity derived from the Carminatti Test, whereas skeletal age was not a significant predictor. In conclusion, the Carminatti Test appears to be a potentially interesting field protocol to assess intermittent endurance running capacity in youth soccer programs since it is independent of biological maturity status.

Assuntos

Desempenho Atlético , Resistência Física/fisiologia , Esqueleto/fisiologia , Futebol , Adolescente , Determinação da Idade pelo Esqueleto , Antropometria , Atletas , Composição Corporal , Tamanho Corporal , Brasil , Criança , Humanos , Masculino