Abstract

Objectives: to assess the physical performance of young football players in terms of chronological age. Methods: the study is cross sectional. We studied 369 male athletes who play football aged between 11 and 18 and evaluated their anthropometric variables of body mass, height and triceps and subscapular skinfolds together with their physical performance variables of flexibility, speed over 30m, vertical jump with counter-movement (SMJ), horizontal jump and the Yo-Yo Endurance Test Level 1. Results: in this study we found significant differences (p <0.001) from 13 to 14 years onwards, both in explosive strength and speed and also in the Yo-Yo Endurance Test Level 1. However, flexibility at 14 to 15 years begins to stabilise until the age of 18. Therefore physical tests of explosive strength and endurance gradually increase and time in the speed test decreases with age. By contrast, flexibility values gradually regress with age. When compared with other studies, the findings of this research showed higher levels of performance in the speed and explosive strength tests. However, no studies were found that made it possible to compare the flexibility physical tests and the Yo-Yo Endurance Test Level 1. Conclusions: chronological age makes a significant contribution to variation and physical performance in tests for speed, flexibility, explosive strength and aerobic power of football players up to the age of 13/14, before remaining relatively stable up to the age of 18.