AUTHOR=Hermassi Souhail , Hayes Lawrence D. , Bartels Thomas , Schwesig René 

TITLE=Differences in body composition, static balance, field test performance, and academic achievement in 10–12-year-old soccer players

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Physiology

VOLUME=14

YEAR=2023

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/physiology/articles/10.3389/fphys.2023.1150484

DOI=10.3389/fphys.2023.1150484

ISSN=1664-042X

ABSTRACT=<p><bold>Introduction:</bold> This study aimed to compare 10–12-year-old Qatari male soccer players (<italic>n</italic> = 45) regarding different dimensions (anthropometric, academic and physical performance).</p><p><bold>Methods:</bold> Anthropometric parameters (body mass, fat percentage (%BF), body mass index (BMI)) academic achievement (mathematics and science grade point average [GPA]) and physical performance [Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test (level 1), squat jumps (SJ), counter-movement jumps (CMJ), stork balance test, 10 and 15 m sprint tests, T-half test for change-of-direction (CoD) ability, hand-grip strength, medicine ball throw (MBT)] were measured. Schoolchild soccer players were divided into three groups: 12-year-old players (U12; <italic>n</italic> = 16), 11-year-old players (U11; <italic>n</italic> = 14), 10-year-old players (U10; <italic>n</italic> = 15).</p><p><bold>Results:</bold> Apart from mathematics, Yo-Yo IR1 and 10 m sprint, all performance parameters showed significant age effects. The largest age-related difference was observed for 15 m sprint (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001). Both adjacent age groups displayed significant differences for 15 sprint (U10 vs. U11: <italic>p</italic> = 0.015; U11 vs. U12: <italic>p</italic> = 0.023). Concerning academic performance, a significant age effect was found for science (<italic>p</italic> &lt; 0.001). There was a main age effect on academic performance difference between U10 and U11 (<italic>p</italic> = 0.007). Academic parameters did not correlate with any physical performance parameter or anthropometric parameter. The strongest correlations were detected for body height and agility T-half test (<italic>r</italic> = −0.686) and medicine ball throw (<italic>r</italic> = 0.637). The biological maturity was strongly correlated with handgrip strength (r = −0.635).</p><p><bold>Discussion:</bold> Soccer coaches and physical education teachers can use these data as reference values for evaluation of school-aged soccer players, and for ascertaining specific training targets. Obviously, short sprinting ability and aerobic capacity are not functions of age and need a specific training for significant improvements.</p>