Decision Making in Soccer: Interactions with Physical and Technical Performance

• Published in: Journal of exercise physiology online Vol. 20; no. 3; p. 122
• Main Authors: Rechenchosky, Leandro, Menegassi, Vanessa, Borges, Paulo, Praça, Gibson, Greco, Pablo, Oliveira, Amauri, Kravchychyn, Claudio, Costa, Luciane, Rinaldi, Wilson
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Duluth American Society of Exercise Physiologists 01-06-2017
• Subjects: Decision making; Knowledge; Middle school students; Physical education teachers; Physical fitness; Soccer
• ISSN: 1097-9751

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relationship between declarative tactical knowledge, physical fitness, and technical tasks in young soccer players. Sixtyeight regional soccer players (12.83 ± 2.43 yrs) participated in the study. To assess the decision making, physical fitness, and technical performance the declarative tactical knowledge, Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test 1, Counter Movement Jump, Speed 30 m, Shuttle Run with the ball, and General Soccer Ability Skill Test Battery were used. Non Hierarchical K-Means Cluster Analysis was realized to create three groups related to level of tactical knowledge. The Chi- Squared Test and the Pearson Correlation Coefficient were performed to identify the relationship between variables (P<0.05). Results showed significant associations between age groups and clusters (c2 = 23.85; P<0.001) and moderate correlations between declarative tactical knowledge and age (r = 0.41), YYIRT1 (r = 0.45), speed (r = 0.42), agility (r = -0.56), dribbling (r = -0.59), and shooting (r = 0.40). The main findings indicate that physical and technical performances are related to declarative tactical knowledge and tactical knowledge increases according to age.