The influence of pitch size on the efficacy of maturity status ‘bio-banding’ when using a multidisciplinary approach to identify talented adolescent soccer players

Lowthorpe, Alex

Abstract

The present study aimed to evaluate the effect of relative pitch size on the tactical, technical, physical and psychological performance of youth academy soccer players, during maturity status ‘bio-banded’ small-sided game (SSG) match play, to evidence the consideration of player maturity status, during talent identification and (de)selection. Forty-four youth academy soccer players (age: 12.9 ± 0.9 years, weight: 46.4 ± 8.5 kg and stature: 158.2 ± 14.9 cm) were recruited from, two professional youth soccer academies. Players were allocated into one of four ‘bio-banded’ teams; two each of ‘post- PHV’ and ‘pre-PHV’ banded players, categorised based on percentage of adult stature attainment (EASA% > 90.0 and < 89.9, respectively) and competed against each other, within a ‘round-robin’ SSG’s format, across small (36 m2), medium (72 m2), large (109 m2) and expansive (145 m2) relative pitch sizes. Physical, Technical, Tactical and Psychological competence was measured throughout. Data were analysed using a linear mixed marginal-modelling with Sidak adjusted p values and effect sizes. Mismatched match play demonstrated an insignificant difference in movement demands between ‘post-PHV ‘ and ‘pre-PHV’ banded players (p = 0.06 to 0.94), however ‘pre-PHV’ banded players demonstrate a significant increase in physical loading and perception of physical experience (p = ≤ 0.001 to 0.03). Maturity matched SSG match play, demonstrated insignificant differences and equitable physical, technical/tactical, and psychological measures within maturity bandings (p = 0.07 to 0.98), whilst demonstrating a subsequent increase in apparent competence, in comparison to a maturity mismatched game constraint. Relative pitch size was found to be independent of maturity status. Such findings highlight the possible use of maturity status ‘bio-banded’ SSG match play within youth soccer academies for talent identification and (de)selection purposes by eliciting changes in physical, technical/tactical, and psychological response.

Citation

Lowthorpe, A. The influence of pitch size on the efficacy of maturity status ‘bio-banding’ when using a multidisciplinary approach to identify talented adolescent soccer players. (Thesis). University of Hull. https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223010

• Thesis Type: Thesis
• Deposit Date: Mar 26, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Feb 23, 2023
• Keywords: Sports science
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4223010
• Additional Information: Department of Sport, Health & Exercise Science, The University of Hull
• Award Date: Aug 1, 2020