Physical fitness in young Chilean soccer and non-football players by chronological age and maturity stage

Introduction: During the adolescent period, changes in growth and body composition occur, and it is important to identify individual differences in maturity among adolescents. In the case of soccer players, they may show better physical fitness than their non-football players. Objective: To compare the physical fitness of young soc-cer players vs non-football players, according to chronological age and maturity status. Methodology: A descriptive-comparative study was carried out in 139 young people (62 soccer players aged 16.38 & PLUSMN;1.30 years and 77 schoolchildren aged 16.35 & PLUSMN;1.45 years). The sample selection was non-probabilistic by convenience. The age range ranged from 14 to 18 years old. Weight, height, speed 20 meters, horizontal jump (SH), and Leger's aerobic fitness test were evaluated. Body mass index (BMI), peak ye-ars of growth velocity (APVC), and absolute and relative VO2max were calculated. Results: Young soccer players presented higher absolute and relative VO2max compared to their similar non-football players, both by chronological age and maturity status. There was significant positive correlation (p<0.05) between age and APVC with absolute VO2max and horizontal jump, and nega-tive with 20-meter speed. There was no correlation between age and APVC with relative VO2max (age and VO2max, r= 0.10, p=0.023 and APVC and VO2max, r= 0.07, p= 0.036). Conclusion: Young soccer players presented better abso-lute and relative VO2max, SH and 20m speed in relation to non-football players, both by chronological age and maturity status, although, physical performance is better observed by maturity status, especially in VO2max and SH. These results suggest that professionals working in grassroots soccer should consider the control of maturity status as an alterna-tive to categorize soccer players when evaluating and working on physical performance.