The aim of the study was t o determine the relationship between anthropometric and fitness skills in youth soccer players according to their related age. The existence of relative age effect was also examined. Anthropometric as well fitness variables such as height, weight, BMI, bod y mass, flexibility, balance, reaction time, jumping ability, and endurance of the lower limb were assessed in 347 amateur young players. Participants’ age ranged from 9 to 16 ( M = 12.43, SD = 2.17). Analyses of variance indicated many significant differences among players of different birth quartile (from P < .001 to P < .05) for all the skills that were examined. The chi square test that was conducted to assess the distribution of players, sho wed that for all four different age groups no statistically significant difference was found regarding the birth quartile of players. In countries that training groups include 2 different age categories, anthropometric and fitness differences because of re lative age effect are heightened. However, physical and physiological variables are inaccurate in predicting later success of players. Thus talent identification systems should provide equal opportunities for talented but related younger players. It is sug gested an on - going talent identification using a multidimensional evaluation form including technical, physiological, physical, tactical, and psychological parameters.

Author Name: Aristotelis GIOLDASIS, Evangelos BEKRIS, Evangelos MICHELINAKIS, Ioannis GISSIS

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Keywords: Coach, football, performance, physical, talent

ISSN:

EISSN: 2148-1148

EOI/DOI: 10.14486/I nt JSCS 4 50

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