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Albaladejo-Saura M, Vaquero-Cristóbal R, García-Roca JA, Esparza-Ros F. What Variables Allow the Differentiation between More and Less Successful Adolescent Volleyball Players? J Hum Kinet 2023; 87:229-242. [PMID: 37559765 PMCID: PMC10407323 DOI: 10.5114/jhk/166107] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 08/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Kinanthropometric and physical fitness variables have been habitually used for the detection of sports talent in adolescent populations. Considering these variables, players who obtained better scores than their peers in kinanthropometric and physical fitness variables have been traditionally selected for promotion in their teams, without taking into account the possible effect of the maturation process. The aim of the present study was to analyse the differences between adolescent volleyball players in terms of success assessment and the age category, as well as to identify variables that may predict success in volleyball. A total of 101 volleyball players in the U14 age category (28 boys and 73 girls; age = 13.28 ± 0.49 years) and 99 players in the U16 age category (20 boys and 79 girls; age = 15.24 ± 0.59 years) participated in the study. Significant differences were observed in biological maturation in male groups (p < 0.001-0.041), kinanthropometric variables related to bone structure and muscle mass in male groups (p < 0.001-0.048), in variables related to adipose tissue in the U16 female group (p = 0.012-0.032) and in physical fitness tests related to muscle strength and power (p < 0.001-0.049), indicating that more successful (MS) players showed a more advanced biological maturation process, higher values of kinanthropometric variables related to bone structure and muscle mass, and lower values in variables related to adipose tissue, as well as higher levels of physical fitness. The difference in biological maturation and its relationship with structural and muscular anthropometric variables in boys, and physical fitness tests related to muscle strength and power in both boys and girls, are of great importance in the selection process of sports talent in volleyball. These findings should be considered by clubs and coaches, who could be discarding players who could improve their sports performance in later stages when their maturational development is equalised.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Albaladejo-Saura
- International Kinanthropometry Chair, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| | - Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal
- International Kinanthropometry Chair, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| | - Juan A. García-Roca
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
- Centre for Olympic Studies, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
| | - Francisco Esparza-Ros
- International Kinanthropometry Chair, Universidad Católica de Murcia (UCAM), Murcia, Spain
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Kelly AL, Williams CA, Jackson DT, Turnnidge J, Reeves MJ, Dugdale JH, Wilson MR. Exploring the role of socioeconomic status and psychological characteristics on talent development in an English soccer academy. SCI MED FOOTBALL 2023. [PMID: 37161818 DOI: 10.1080/24733938.2023.2213191] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Social factors and psychological characteristics can influence participation and development in talent pathways. However, the interaction between these two factors is relatively unknown. The aim of this study was to investigate the implications of socioeconomic status and psychological characteristics in English academy soccer players (n=58; aged 11 to 16 years). To assess socioeconomic status, participants' home postcodes were coded according to each individual's social classification and credit rating, applying the UK General Registrar Classification system and CameoTM geodemographic database, respectively. Participants also completed the six factor Psychological Characteristics for Developing Excellence Questionnaire (PCDEQ). A classification of 'higher-potentials' (n=19) and 'lower-potentials' (n=19) were applied through coach potential rankings. Data were standardised using z-scores to eliminate age bias and data were analysed using independent sample t-tests. Results showed that higher-potentials derived from families with significantly lower social classifications (p=0.014) and reported higher levels for PCDEQ Factor 3 (coping with performance and developmental pressures) (p=0.007) compared to lower-potentials. This study can be used to support the impetus for researchers and practitioners to consider the role of social factors and psychological characteristics when developing sporting talent. For example, facilitating player-centred development within an academy and, where necessary, providing individuals with additional support.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam L Kelly
- Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
- Exeter City Football Club, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Craig A Williams
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel T Jackson
- Faculty of Health, Education and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
| | - Jennifer Turnnidge
- School of Kinesiology and Health Studies, Queen's University, Kingston, Ontario, Canada
| | - Matthew J Reeves
- UCLan Research Centre for Applied Sport, Physical Activity & Performance, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, United Kingdom
| | - James H Dugdale
- Physiology Exercise and Nutrition Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences and Sport, University of Stirling, Stirling, Scotland
| | - Mark R Wilson
- College of Life & Environmental Sciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, Devon, United Kingdom
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Brustio PR, Modena R, Boccia G, Vogliazzo M, Kelly AL. Youth-to-senior transition in women's and girls' football: Towards a better understanding of relative age effects and gender-specific considerations. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0283781. [PMID: 37141307 PMCID: PMC10159103 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0283781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/16/2023] [Indexed: 05/06/2023] Open
Abstract
This study aimed to evaluate youth-to-senior transition and the relative age effect in Italian female football national teams. Birthdate data of 774 female players selected for Under 17 (N = 416), 19 (N = 265) and National Senior team (N = 93) were analysed. The youth-to-senior transition rate was determined by the number of youth players competing in the Senior National team (and vice versa), whilst birth quarter (Q) distributions with a chi-square goodness-of-fit test. Only 17.4% of youth players were able to be selected for the Senior National team, whereas 31.2% of the players reached the high-senior level without being selected for youth age groups. Data revealed a skewed birth date distribution in Under 17 and 19 teams (on average, Q1 = 35.6% vs Q4 = 18.5%) but not in the Senior National team. Youth players born in Q1 were two times more likely to be selected than in Q4. In Under 17, goalkeepers, defenders, and midfielders of Q1 players were overrepresented. However, Q4 players recorded higher conversion rates than Q1 (Q1 = 16.4% vs. Q4 = 25.0%). National youth experience may not be a prerequisite for being selected at the senior level. Moreover, this confers a higher probability of playing in the National Senior team than players not selected in youth rosters.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo Riccardo Brustio
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- NeuroMuscularFunction Research Group, School of Exercise & Sport Sciences, SUISM University, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberto Modena
- Faculty of Health Sciences and Social Care, Molde University College, Molde, Norway
- CeRiSM (Sport Mountain and Health Research Centre), University of Verona, Verona, Italy
| | - Gennaro Boccia
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- NeuroMuscularFunction Research Group, School of Exercise & Sport Sciences, SUISM University, Turin, Italy
| | - Matteo Vogliazzo
- School of Exercise & Sport Sciences (SUISM), University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Adam Leigh Kelly
- Centre for Life and Sport Sciences (CLaSS), Faculty of Health, Education, and Life Sciences, Birmingham City University, Birmingham, West Midlands, United Kingdom
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Kite RJ, Noon MR, Morris R, Mundy P, Clarke ND. Observations of Player (de)Selection Within a Professional UK Soccer Academy. JOURNAL OF SCIENCE IN SPORT AND EXERCISE 2023:1-10. [PMID: 37359765 PMCID: PMC9994390 DOI: 10.1007/s42978-023-00222-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023]
Abstract
The present study engaged in an ethnographical observation of the processes used to determine player (de)selections within a professional academy. English category-2 youth academy players (n = 96) from U10-U16 age groups undertook anthropometric profiling (height, mass and somatic maturation) and fitness assessments (10 m, 20 m & 30 m linear sprints, 505-agility test, countermovement and squat jumps). Each players lead coach (n = 4) subjectively graded players utilising a red, amber and green (RAG) rating system on a weekly (current performance) and quarterly (perceived potential) basis, across 25 weeks. A MANCOVA, controlling for maturation, was applied to determine differences in (de)selection by physical performance. Mann Whitney-U tests were used to distinguish difference in (de)selection by subjective grading (weekly and quarterly). The key finding was that quarterly subjective gradings established a higher cumulative score of green ratings in selected players and a low cumulative score of red ratings, and vice versa for deselected players (P ≤ 0.001 to 0.03). However, whilst these findings suggest that quarterly subjective grades of potential were able to provide the best predictors for player (de)selection, the findings should be viewed with caution due to high potential for confirmatory bias.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rich J. Kite
- Academy Sports Science and Medical Department, Coventry City Football Club, Coventry, UK
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - Mark R. Noon
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - Rhys Morris
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - Peter Mundy
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
| | - Neil D. Clarke
- Centre for Sport, Exercise and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
- Faculty of Health and Life Sciences, Coventry University, Coventry, UK
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Machado G, González-Víllora S, Teoldo I. Selected soccer players are quicker and better decision-makers in elite Brazilian youth academies. INT J PERF ANAL SPOR 2023. [DOI: 10.1080/24748668.2023.2181609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/01/2023]
Affiliation(s)
- Guilherme Machado
- Centre of Research and Studies in Soccer (NUPEF), Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa-MG, Brazil
- EDAF Research Group, Faculty of Education, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Sixto González-Víllora
- EDAF Research Group, Faculty of Education, University of Castilla-La Mancha, Albacete, Spain
| | - Israel Teoldo
- Centre of Research and Studies in Soccer (NUPEF), Universidade Federal de Viçosa (UFV), Viçosa-MG, Brazil
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Ginés HJ, Huertas F, García Calvo T, Ponce-Bordón JC, Figueiredo AJ, Ballester R. Age and Maturation Matter in Youth Elite Soccer, but Depending on Competitive Level and Gender. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2023; 20:2015. [PMID: 36767382 PMCID: PMC9915155 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph20032015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
This study aimed to explore the relevance of the relative age effect (RAE), maturity status and anthropometry, and their influence on coaches' assessment of players' performance, analyzing both genders and different types of academies (elite vs. non-elite). The sample included 603 soccer players (385 male), from the under 12 (U12), under 14 (U14) and under 16 (U16) categories, belonging to elite and nonelite teams. Coaches' assessment of players' performance, chronological age, anthropometric characteristics, maturity offset (MO) and peak height velocity (PHV) were registered. Our results showed that RAE was present in both genders within the elite, but not in the nonelite academies. Early maturity players were overrepresented in the male elite, but not in the female academies. No relationship was found between RAE and anthropometry in male elite academies. Male elite players showed better anthropometric characteristics than nonelite players, while this pattern of results was not found for female players. The coaches' assessment on players' current performance was not influenced by the chronological age nor anthropometry, but it was linked to the PHV. Coaches from nonelite academies rated better in current assessment of performance the taller players. Our findings suggest that maturity status and RAE play an independent and important role in the talent selection process.
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Affiliation(s)
- Honorato J. Ginés
- Doctorate School, Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”, 46008 Valencia, Spain
| | - Florentino Huertas
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”, 46900 Torrent, Spain
| | - Tomás García Calvo
- Faculty of Sport Sciences, University of Extremadura, 10003 Cáceres, Spain
| | | | - António J. Figueiredo
- Faculty of Sport Science and Physical Education, University of Coimbra, 3004-531 Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Rafael Ballester
- Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Catholic University of Valencia “San Vicente Mártir”, 46900 Torrent, Spain
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Albaladejo-Saura M, Vaquero-Cristóbal R, García-Roca JA, Esparza-Ros F. The Effect of Age, Biological Maturation and Birth Quartile in the Kinanthropometric and Physical Fitness Differences between Male and Female Adolescent Volleyball Players. CHILDREN (BASEL, SWITZERLAND) 2022; 9:children9010058. [PMID: 35053683 PMCID: PMC8774601 DOI: 10.3390/children9010058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Revised: 12/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/28/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Differences in kinanthropometric and physical fitness performance between boys and girls usually start during adolescence, as a result of the changes in the hormonal environment that occur with the advance of age and biological maturation; Methods: A total of 96 1st Regional Division players adolescent volleyball players, 48 males, (age = 14.17 ± 1.00 years-old) and 48 females (age = 14.41 ± 1.21 years-old) underwent a kinanthropometric assessment, were asked to perform different physical fitness test and to complete a questionnaire. Chronological age, maturity offset, age at peak height velocity (APHV), and birth quartile were calculated; Results: Statistical differences were observed between male and female players in the APHV (p < 0.001). Male players showed higher values in the bone and muscle-related variables (p < 0.001-0.040), as well as in the strength and power production-related physical tests (p < 0.001-0.012), while the female showed higher values in the fat-related variables (p = 0.003-0.013), and performed better in the flexibility tests. Age, maturity offset, and birth quartile showed to have statistical influence in the differences found between sex groups; Conclusions: There is a clear influence of age and biological maturation on the differences found between sexes in adolescent volleyball players that could be taken into account regarding grouping in early stages.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mario Albaladejo-Saura
- International Kinanthropometry Chair, UCAM, Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Guadalupe, Murcia, Spain; (M.A.-S.); (F.E.-R.)
| | - Raquel Vaquero-Cristóbal
- International Kinanthropometry Chair, UCAM, Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Guadalupe, Murcia, Spain; (M.A.-S.); (F.E.-R.)
- Faculty of Sport Science, UCAM, Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Guadalupe, Murcia, Spain;
- Correspondence:
| | | | - Francisco Esparza-Ros
- International Kinanthropometry Chair, UCAM, Universidad Católica de Murcia, 30107 Guadalupe, Murcia, Spain; (M.A.-S.); (F.E.-R.)
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