Physical performance disparities in elite Under-15 female soccer: a comparative study of Spanish and Cuban athletes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v78.117733Keywords:
football, change of direction, physical fitness, exercise, female soccer playersAbstract
Introduction: The development of physical performance in young female soccer players is crucial for their success in competitive sports.
Objective: This study aims to compare sprint speed, vertical jump height, and 505 COD performance between elite U15 female soccer players from Spain and Cuba, thereby investigating the physical performance disparities that exist between these two groups. A total of 30 elite Under-15 female soccer players were recruited, consisting of 15 athletes from Cuba and 15 from Spain.
Methodology: Participants underwent a series of physical performance evaluations, including countermovement jump height (CMJ), a 30-meter sprint, and the 505 COD test.
Results: The findings revealed significant performance differences, with Spanish athletes outperforming their Cuban counterparts in all assessments, achieving p-values of 0.001. Correlation analyses indicated significant relationships among performance metrics. Cuban players showed strong negative correlations between CMJ and both the 30-meter sprint (r = -0.66) and the 505 COD test (r = -0.59). A moderate negative correlation was also found between the 30-meter sprint and the 505 COD test (r = -0.52). Spanish players exhibited a strong negative correlation between CMJ and the 505 COD test (r = -0.51).
Conclusions: These results indicate that improvements in explosive strength, as measured by CMJ, are linked to enhanced sprinting and agility. This underscores the need for age-specific training programs that focus on developing power and speed, tailored to the unique needs of young female athletes.
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