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Malta U-16 players clock up high running scores

Published: 17-04-2017 13:25
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The match running performance of young players during the UEFA Under-16 Development Tournament, held here last February, was monitored by the coaching staff of the Malta FA Technical Centre. This analysis was carried out with the co-operation of the other participating teams, namely Andorra, Armenia and Gibraltar, and had the approval of UEFA. “The assessment of the physical determinants of running performance during competitive matches according to age and playing position is required to improve talent detection and long-term training interventions,” the coaching staff at the Malta FA Technical Centre explained in the introduction of the report. Motion match analyses were performed on 51 young players representing Andorra, Armenia, Gibraltar and Malta, using Global Positioning System technology (K-Sport Italy). Relative distance (Rel/D), average metabolic power (AMP), distance covered high intensity acceleration per minute (D_HIAcc/Min; >2m/sec2), distance covered high intensity deceleration per minute (D_HIDec/Min; <2m/sec2), distance covered high intensity speed per minute (D_HIS/Min; >16 km/h) and distance covered high intensity metabolic power per minute (D_HIMP/Min; >20W/Kg) were computed during five gamesThe monitored players had a minimum playing time of 40 minutes (one half) to full game (2x40’) plus additional time.The Malta players clocked up very good scores across the board, topping the chart in distance covered at high speed and distance covered at high intensity metabolic power.Andorra won the tournament with a total of seven points, one ahead of second-placed Malta who were under the guidance of coach Silvio Vella.“For the Malta Football Association, this is the first time that the activity profiles of trained young football players are recorded during an international football tournament,” the report concluded.“The main aim of the analysis was to assess the running profiles in official matches and make a comparison among the teams that take part in the tournament.” For a full Fitness Analysis Report CLICK HERE