Effect of a simulated match on lower limb neuromuscular performance in youth footballers - a two year longitudinal study

The aim of this study was to explore the effects of simulated soccer match play on neuromuscular performance in adolescent players longitudinally over a two year period. Eleven players completed all measurements in both years of the study (1st year: age 16.0 ± 0.4 y; stature 178.8 ± 6.4 cm; mass 67.5 ± 7.8 kg; maturity-offset 2.24 ± 0.71 y). There was a significant reduction in hamstring strength after simulated match by the soccer-specific aerobic field test (SAFT90), with four out of eight parameters compromised in U16s (4.7 – 7.8% decrease) and six in the U17s (3.1 – 15.4%). In the U17s all of the concentric quadriceps strength parameters were decreased (3.7 – 8.6%) as well as the vastus lateralis and semitendinosus firing frequency (26.9 – 35.4%). In both ages leg stiffness decreased (9.2 – 10.2%) and reactive strength increased pre to post simulated match (U16 8.0%; U17 2.5%). A comparison of changes between age groups did not show any differences. This study demonstrates a decrease in neuromuscular performance post simulated match play in both ages, but observed changes were not age dependent.