Purpose This study aimed at investigating relationship between variations in fitness parameters, variations in somatic-anthropometric parameters and training load variables in Italian elite soccer players during pre/mid and post-puberty. Methods Thirty-six Italian elite young soccer players (Under-14, U14: 18; Under-17, U17: 18) participated in study. Their somatic-anthropometric and fitness parameters were assessed and training load (Session-RPE) was monitored during 119 days in the sporty season. Results During the observational period meaningful variation in CMJ and 30-15IFT emerged in U17 and only in CMJ in U14. Meaningful correlations emerged between variations in CMJ and variations in numerous somatic-anthropometric parameters in U17 but only variations in ARM-GIRTH in U14. Meaningful correlations were found between variations in 30-15IFT and only variations in SUP-SKIN in U17, training load during match in U14 and U17 and training load during session training only in U17. Conclusions During puberty, variation in fitness parameters are affected by variations in somatic-anthropometric parameters and training load parameters differently between U14 and U17. Variations of body shape have more influence in U17, match load more influence in U14 and intensity of training influence only in U17. This study offers new interpretations about the effect of anthropometric and somatic parameters, as well as on training dose (volume, intensity and typology) on the variation of fitness parameters during puberty.
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