The Coaches' Efficacy Expectations of Youth Soccer Players with Different Maturity Status and Physical Performance

Iván Peña-González; Tomas García-Calvo; Eduardo M Cervelló; Manuel Moya-Ramón

doi:10.2478/hukin-2021-0083

The Coaches' Efficacy Expectations of Youth Soccer Players with Different Maturity Status and Physical Performance

J Hum Kinet. 2021 Jul 28:79:289-299. doi: 10.2478/hukin-2021-0083. eCollection 2021 Jul.

Authors

Iván Peña-González¹, Tomas García-Calvo², Eduardo M Cervelló¹, Manuel Moya-Ramón¹

Affiliations

¹ Sport Sciences Department, Miguel Hernandez University, Av. Dela Universidad s/n, 03205, Elche, Spain.
² Faculty of Sport Science, University of Extremadura. Av. de la Universidad, s/n, 10003. Cáceres (Extremadura), Spain.

Abstract

This study aimed to report possible anthropometrical and physical performance differences between youth soccer players with different maturity status and to report the coaches' expectations, hypothesizing that coaches would expect more from players with advanced maturity. One hundred twenty-two (122) players completed a physical performance battery. Their maturity status was estimated and the coaches' efficacy expectations (CEEs) were assessed. Players with advanced maturation had better physical performance (F = 26.5-73.4; p < 0.01) and their CEEs for strength-related tasks were different according to the maturity status (F = 8.3-10.9; p < 0.01), but not for speed-related tests, nor for their general ability to play soccer. Normalized data showed significant differences between physical performance tests and their respective CEEs within each maturity group, especially in the Post-PHV group. This study confirms the physical advantages of players with advanced maturity while it shows controversial results of how maturation affects the coaches' perceptions and, indirectly, the coaches' identification and selection of talented players.

Keywords: maturation; self-efficacy; youth.