Citation

Fenton S AM, Duda JL, Barrett T. Pediatr. Exerc. Sci. 2014; 27(2): 208-218.

Affiliation

School of Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences, University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, United Kingdom.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2014, Human Kinetics Publishers)

DOI

10.1123/pes.2014-0053

PMID

25387122

Abstract

The aims of this study were (1) to determine minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and vigorous physical activity (VPA) accrued in youth sport football (also internationally referred to as soccer), and the contribution towards daily weekend MVPA and VPA for males aged 9 to 16 years, and (2) to investigate variability in these outcomes related to age and playing position. One hundred and nine male grassroots footballers (Mean age = 11.98 ± 1.75 years) wore a GT3X accelerometer for 7 days. Weekend youth sport football participation and playing position were recorded. Youth sport football MVPA (M = 51.51 ± 17.99) and VPA (M = 27.78 ± 14.55) contributed 60.27% and 70.68% towards daily weekend MVPA and VPA, respectively. Overall, 36.70% of participants accumulated ≥ 60 minutes MVPA and 69.70% accrued ≥ 20 minutes of VPA during youth sport. For participants aged 13 to16 years, youth sport football MVPA and VPA were significantly higher, and contributed a greater amount towards daily weekend MVPA and VPA than for participants aged 9 to 12 years (p = <.01). Youth sport football is an important source of MVPA and VPA at the weekend for male youth, and particularly for adolescents. Participation may offer opportunity for weekend engagement in VPA towards health enhancing levels.

Language: en