Longitudinal development of match-running performance in elite male youth soccer players

This study longitudinally examined age‐related changes in the match‐running performance of retained and released elite youth soccer players aged 8–18 years. The effect of playing position on age‐related changes was also considered. Across three seasons, 263 elite youth soccer players were assessed in 1–29 competitive matches (988 player‐matches). For each player‐match, total distance and distances covered at age group‐specific speed zones (low‐speed, high‐speed, sprinting) were calculated using 1 Hz or 5 Hz GPS. Mixed modeling predicted that match‐running performance developed nonlinearly, with age‐related changes best described with quadratic age terms. Modeling predicted that playing position significantly modified age‐related changes (P