Training duration may not be a predisposing factor in potential maladaptations in talent development programmes that promote early specialisation in elite youth soccer. Issue 5 (October 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Brownlee, Thomas E; O'Boyle, Andy; Morgans, Ryland; Morton, James P; Erskine, Robert M; Drust, Barry
• Is Part Of: International journal of sports science & coaching. Volume 13:Issue 5(2018)
• Page Start: 674
• Page End: 678
• Publication Date: 2018-10
• Subjects: Association football -- Elite Player Performance Plan -- soccer -- youth sport; Coaching (Athletics) -- Periodicals; Sports sciences -- Periodicals; Coaching (Athletics); Sports sciences; Periodicals; 796.077
• DOI: 10.1177/1747954117752127
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1747-9541

Abstract

Purpose: To determine whether training duration is a predisposing factor in potential maladaptations in talent development programmes that promote early specialisation in elite youth soccer. Methods: Training times and type of 184 elite soccer players, from the under-9 to under-21 age groups (age 9.4 to 18.4 yrs; stature 1.38 to 1.82 m; body mass 32.2 to 76.2 kg) were recorded. Results: Total training time progressively increased between the under-9 (268 ± 25 min/week) and under-14 (477 ± 19 min/week) groups with the majority of training time (96.5 ± 3.9%) consisting of soccer training and matches. Total training time then subsequently reduced from under-14 to under-15 (266 ± 77 min/week) groups, with no differences in training time between under-15 and under-21. Only under-15 to under-21 players completed resistance training; this inclusion coincided with a reduction in soccer training and match play when compared to time spent in these activities for younger groups (73.8 ± 3.2% of total training). Conclusion: Data suggest that although the majority of training is focused on technical development, the training duration as a whole is unlikely to contribute to potential maladaptations in talent development programmes in elite youth soccer.