Introduction: Balance control (BC) plays a decisive role in the realisation of soccer-specific skills (Chew-Bullock et al., 2012; Béraud & Gahéry, 1997). Fatiguing exercise can impair BC (Douris et al., 2011). Hence, it is aim of the quasi-experimental study to investigate, how BC is influenced by increasing load. Methods: Male youth elite soccer players, separated in load group (L; n=15; 13.5±0.1 y, 50.6±1.8 kg, 165±2 cm) and in control (C; n=11; 14.1±0.2 y, 45.8±2.6 kg, 158±3 cm) previously performed a physical test to determine the heart rate(HR)max . The L carried out a stepwise incremental running protocol (starting with 7.2 km/h by 1.4 km/h increase every 5 min until volitional exhaustion). After the warm-up and between each 5 min load, a balance test (BT) was performed. The C performed the BT after the warm-up and 6 times every 5 min in rest conditions. Posturographic data were collected by means of BT for 32 s; first with preferred and then with non-preferred leg on a swinging platform (Posturomed, Haider Bioswing®, GER) under standardised conditions (Bruhn et al., 2001). The mean acceleration of both legs (am) were calculated and subsequently analysed. Three-five months later, the L repeated test series. HR in both group; blood lactate (BL) and oxygen consumption (O2) were measured in L. ANOVA with repeated measures was used. Results: HR-values of the C after warm-up were 115±14 bpm (57±6% HRmax) and in average for rest conditions 100±11 bpm (50±5% HRmax). In contrast, HR-values of the L progressively ascended and achieved 193±8 bpm (100±3% HRmax) in the exhausting load. Maximal BL and O2 were 6.0±1.7 mmol/l and 2.9±0.5 l/min (94±5% O2max). The C constantly improved am-values from 15.6±5.6 mm/s2 (warm-up) to 5.5±1.0 mm/s2 (last try). The L improved BC from 8.8±3.7 mm/s2 (warm-up) to 7.1±2.5 mm/s2 (penultimate try). However, after the exhaustion step deteriorated a little am-values 7.2±2.5 mm/s2. Same behaviour could be held in the second test series. Discussion: Youth soccer players show compensatory skills to maintain BC under stress conditions. Only under very exhausting loads they were not able to sustain the quality of BC. Results of the study could be used for training methodology of technique and coordination skills.
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