ABSTRACT
The subjects of this study were 10-year-old (height 1.43 ±0.05 m, mass 32.5 ±3.5 kg, body fat 9.2 ±3.4%, n = 5 defenders + 5 midfields + 3 forwards = 13), 12-year-old (1.54 ±0.10 m, 41.6 ±7.6 kg, 10.1 ±4.2%, n = 6 def + 7 mid + 3 for = 16) and 14-year-old (1.68 0.09 m, 54.5 ±7.7 kg, 8.3 ±5.5%, n = 5 def + 6 mid + 3 for = 14) Finnish sub-elite male football players. All analysed players in each age group played a 2×45 min (11 v 11) game on a full-sized indoor football field (92×54 m) wearing Suunto T6 heart rate monitors (Suunto Oy, Finland). The teams were organized in a tactical formation known as a 4-4-2, which consisted of 4 defenders, 4 midfielders, and 2 forwards. Goalkeepers were not analysed. The game events were analysed with Dartfish Team Pro software using a method introduced by Luhtanen et al. (1998). In the Match analysis data, the total number of offensive actions (receiving + dribbling + passing = Off) as well as the percent of success (Off%) was counted for each player and age group. Due to the small number of defensive actions (interceptions + tackles + aerial duels + ground duels = Def) only the total number of defensive actions was counted. The results are expressed as an average/player. Previously analysed Match and heart rate values of adult (A) Finnish national team and highest level club team
120 Vanttinen, Blomqvist, Lehto and Hakkinen
were used as reference. The heart rate (HR) data of the games were analysed using Suunto and Firstbeat Pro software. The subjects’ maximal oxygen uptake and maximal heart rate were measured on a treadmill in order to examine exercise intensity of the game.
