Anaerobic performance and morphological development of young football players during the initial preparation stage

Aim. The purpose of the study is to determine the morphological features and anaerobic performance of young football players. Materials and methods. 20 young football players aged 12-13 years were examined. The anaerobic performance test was carried out on a Monark 891E hand ergometer (Sweden). Physical and technical preparedness was assessed with the following pedagogical tests: the 15 m standing and crouch start running test, standing long jump, vertical jump, 30-second running, 3×10 m 3×10 m shuttle run. Hip circumference as a morphological basis of anaerobic performance of the legs was evaluated by using a measuring tape. Body length and weight were measured by standard anthropometric methods. Results. The young football players have a significant heterochrony of morphological development, which is expressed in a significant dispersion of the parameters of body weight and length. At the same time, neither actual age nor training loads are the determining factors for the demonstrated strength, but the level of morphological development (i.e. biological age), as evidenced by the correlations between the hip circumference and absolute peak power (r = 0.75, at p = 0.0001). There are no similar correlations with age (both in years and in days). Technical tests, such as basketball dribbling, basketball ball handling drill, and shuttle running with the ball, as well as basketball obstacle course did not have statistically significant differences between more or less physically developed athletes. Conclusion. The approach to differentiation of athletes according to the development of speed-strength qualities based on morphofunctional data can be used in coaching practice when working with young athletes aged 12-13 years. This will allow coaches to plan training sessions aimed not at balancing differences, but at improving the training process taking into account the individual characteristics of an athlete.