Chronological age and performance differences: A comparative analysis of speed, change of direction and explosive power amongst U-15 and U-18 soccer players

Background: Chronological age is calculated from a single time point away from an individual’s date of birth, and changes in physical fitness may vary amongst individuals. Understanding how these variations manifest across different age groups is crucial for optimizing athletic performance in youth sports. Aim: This study aims to examine the disparities in speed, change of direction (COD), and explosive power performance between two competitive age groups of youth soccer players. Methods: Thirty soccer players ( n = 30) were recruited from a secondary school, comprising two age groups: under 15 ( n = 15) and under 18 ( n = 15) years. The participants underwent three physical tests assessing speed, COD, and explosive power performance. Results: The findings revealed significant differences in explosive power performance between the two age groups ( P = 0.04). Speed performance exhibited a trend towards significance ( P = 0.05), while COD results did not reach statistical significance. Conclusion: These outcomes underscore the potential influence of age on sport-related performance, particularly in explosive power. This suggests that training programs may need to be tailored differently for athletes in different age groups to maximize performance outcomes.