Effects of different intensities of FIFA 11+ on physical performance of U-15 soccer players

Abstract

The present study investigated the effects of different intensities of FIFA11+ on the physical performance of U-15 soccer players. Eighteen U-15 soccer players (13.3 ± 0.7 years) performed five randomized conditioning activities (CA), with each CA separated by 3–7 days. The five CA were: 1) FIFA11+ at level 1 (F1); 2) FIFA11+ at level 2 (F2); 3) FIFA11+ at level 3 (F3); 4) FIFA11+ at reduced version (FR); and 5) Standard warm-up of the players (Control). The subjective session rating of perceived exertion (session-RPE), countermovement jump (CMJ), 10-m sprint, and 505 agility test were measured 5 min after each CA. CMJ was higher in the FR (29.6 ± 5.5 cm) compared to the F1 (27.7 ± 4.6 cm) (p<0.05). There was no difference between the other comparisons (F2: 28.2 ± 3.6 cm; F3: 28.1 ± 5.0 cm; Control: 28.6 ± 4.9 cm; p>0.05). The sprint performance was higher in the Control (1.937±0.166 s) and FR (1.931±0.123 s) compared to the F1 (2.006±0.113 s) (p<0.05). There was no difference between the other comparisons (F2: 1.970±0.116 s; F3: 1.999±0.117 s) (p>0.05). Agility performance did not differ between conditions (FR: 2.756±0.205 s; F1: 2.7286±0.229 s; F2: 2.832±0.228 s; F3: 2.804±0.209 s; CON: 2.756±0.205 s; p>0.05). Session-RPE was considered hard for all CA, with no significant differences among conditions (p>0.05). The internal training load was higher in the F1, F2, and F3 compared to the FR and CON (p<0.05). The current results suggest performing a standard warm-up or the reduced version of FIFA 11+ to optimize performance in the CMJ and sprint of U-15 soccer players.