@misc{10481/108193,
year = {2025},
month = {11},
url = {https://hdl.handle.net/10481/108193},
abstract = {Background and Objectives: In modern soccer, players frequently perform curved sprinting
(CS) actions that combine speed, agility, and neuromuscular control, highlighting the importance of assessing CS performance in youth athletes. This study aimed to investigate
age-related differences in CS performance and its relationship with key components of
physical fitness—including aerobic capacity, vertical jump height, and agility-based field
tests—in U14 and U16 male soccer players. Materials and Methods: A total of 76 registered
players participated, evenly divided between the two age groups. Statistical analyses
included t-tests, correlation, and regression modeling to determine key predictors of curvesprint performance. Results: U16 players showed significant between-group differences,
with faster CS times on both the good and weak sides (p < 0.001, d = 0.93–1.08), as well as
superior performance in the countermovement jump (p < 0.001, d = 1.12), Illinois Agility
Test (p < 0.01, d = 0.70), and 5-0-5 change-of-direction (COD) test (p < 0.01, d = 0.74). Significant negative correlations were found between CMJ height and CS times (r = –0.40 to –0.73),
indicating that greater explosive power was associated with better CS performance. Moderate to very strong positive correlations were observed between CS and agility measures
(r = 0.43 to 0.79), particularly in the U16 group, whereas VO2max showed no meaningful
relationship with CS performance (r = –0.16 to –0.30, p > 0.05). Conclusions: These results
suggest that CS may serve as an indicator of neuromuscular power and agility, both of
which improve with age. From a practical perspective, regular curve-sprint assessments
and multidirectional drills may support talent development by helping coaches monitor
neuromuscular efficiency and movement coordination in young players.},
publisher = {MDPI},
keywords = {Soccer},
keywords = {Aerobic capacity},
keywords = {Neuromuscular function},
title = {Curve Sprint Ability as an Indicator of Neuromuscular Function and Physical Fitness in Youth Soccer Players: Comparative Insights from U14 and U16 Groups},
doi = {10.3390/medicina61111981},
author = {Pancar, Zarife and Karaca, Burak and Chen, Yung-Sheng and Sánchez Fuentes, José Antonio and Navarro Ledesma, Santiago and Barbero Álvarez, José Carlos and González-Fernández, Francisco Tomás},
}