Although the contribution of anaerobic power in soccer performance is widely recognized, this parameter of physical fitness has not been well studied in young players. The aim of this study was to investigate the force-velocity (F-v) components of anaerobic power across adolescence. Methods: Male adolescent players (n=561; aged 10-22 yr), classified in six two-year age groups, all members of competitive soccer clubs, performed the F-v test. The participants performed four sprints, each one lasting 7 sec, against incremental braking force (2, 3, 4 and 5 kg) on a leg cycle ergometer (Ergomedics 874, Monark, Sweden), interspersed by 5-min recovery periods. Results: Positive correlation between age and theoretical maximal velocity (v0, r=0.57, p<0.001), theoretical maximal force (F0, r=0.53, p<0.001), maximal anaerobic power in absolute (Pmax, r=0.68, p<0.001) and relative to body mass values (rPmax, r=0.47, p<0.001) was found, while there was negative correlation between age and v0/F0 (r=-0.37, p<0.001). With regard to Pmax, rPmax, v0 and F0, each age group had higher score than the respective younger and lower score than the older groups, while there was no difference between the age group under 18 yr (U18), U20 and U22. Conclusions: An important finding was that while force and velocity increased across adolescence, the ratio v0/F0 decreased significantly (e.g. from 19.5 rpm/kg in U12 to 11.8 rpm/kg in U18), indicating changes in the forcevelocity profile of soccer players. The v0 to F0 ratio decreased with age, but there was no difference between U16, U18, U20 and U22 with regard to this trait. While our results about the development of anaerobic power across adolescence were in general agreement with previous studies, we identified different patterns of development of the F-v components of anaerobic power, which was a novel finding.
© Copyright 2012 17th Annual Congress of the European College of Sport Science (ECSS), Bruges, 4. -7. July 2012. Veröffentlicht von Vrije Universiteit Brussel. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.