Abstract
Adolescence is often viewed as a critical period for selection in youth soccer. The present study compared the characteristics of regionally selected and non-selected under-14 players (U-14) as a group and by position. Players were classified as local (n=69) and regional (n=45). Weight, height, skinfolds, functional capacities, soccer skills and goal orientation were measured and skeletal age was assessed with the Fels method. Factorial ANOVA was used to test the effect of selection, position and respective interaction terms, while discriminant analysis was used to identify the variables that contributed to selection. Selected players had an advanced maturity status (F=24.97, p
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 790-796 |
Number of pages | 7 |
Journal | International Journal of Sports Medicine |
Volume | 31 |
Issue number | 11 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Nov 2010 |
Keywords
- young athletes
- sport selection
- maturation
- goal orientations
- specialization
- growth