Physical fitness norms for male youth national team football players

Introduction: Performance in football is dependent on physical fitness among other factors. Fitness norms can be useful for players and coaches. It can help with developing training plans and monitoring where players stand in comparison with other players similar in age. Objectives: (i) To make standardized fitness norms for male football players aged 15-22 in aerobic- and anaerobic capacity, speed, agility, and jumping ability. (ii) To investigate if/how physical ability changes with age in male youth football players. Method: Male football players in youth national teams in Iceland, aged 13-22 (17.37±2.28) were tested in 5x30 m sprint test, Countermovement jump, Abalakov jump, Illinois agility test, Yo-Yo IR2 test and height and weight were measured. Standardized fitness norms were calculated by age: 13-14 years (n=91), 15 years (n=86), 16 years (n=106), 17 years (n=57), 18 years (n=62), 19 years (n=48), 20 years (n=48), 21-22 years (n=52). Results: Standardized fitness norms showed that 15 years old players performed best in 10 m sprint, 30 m fastest- and meantime sprints. Significant difference was found between age groups in body composition measurements, CMJ, AJ, 30 m fastest sprint, 30 m meantime sprint, Yo-Yo IR2 test and Illinois agility test. In the 10 m sprint no significant difference was found. Conclusion: Standardized fitness norms show that physical ability changes with age. Aerobic capacity increases every year and jumping capacity increases yearly until age 18, sprinting ability is the best at the age of 15. Keywords: Football, performance, sprinting, jumping, agility, aerobic endurance, age, youth, physical fitness, physical testing, norms.

Author dc:creator

• Ingibjörg Lúcía Ragnarsdóttir 1998-

Contributors dc:contributor

• Háskólinn í Reykjavík

• Íþróttavísindi og þjálfun
• Meistaraprófsritgerðir
• Knattspyrna
• Velgengni
• Líkamsástand
• Exercise science and coaching
• Soccer
• Performance
• Physical fitness

Language dc:language.iso

en

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/1946/44886

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:skemman.is:1946/44886