Abstract
Purpose This assignment was meant to discover the differences between soccer players in lower and higher divisions in terms of performance level i.e., players in lower divisions is slower than players in higher division. It was also the intention to quantify possible differences in sprint mechanical outputs in soccer associated to age, playing position and sex. The focus of assignment was players in Norwegian 6th division. I evaluated underlying macroscopical variables in sprint for 6th division players so that it gave a comparable basis to similar research that consist of data with players on a higher skill level. Methods 14 male soccer players (29.8 ± 5.2 years, 82.9 ± 10 kg, 183.1 ± 4.8 cm, and BMI 24.6 ± 2.3) performed 30-m sprints with repeated trials until performance plateau was established. A purpose build spreadsheet was used to calculate the theoretical maximal horizontal force (F0), theoretical maximal velocity (V0), actual velocity (Vmax), optimal velocity (Vopt), maximal horizontal power (Pmax), force-velocity slope (Sfv), Ratio of forces, horizontal over time (RFmax) and Index of force application technique (DRF). Results Midfielders achieved the highest values in almost every output, ahead of defenders and attackers, who performed very similarly regarding output values. The age group <29 had better Vmax, Sfv, RFmax and DRF values than the age group 29+ (small to moderate effect size). However, F0 and Pmax values were better for the age group 29+ (small to moderate effect size). Conclusion This assignment shows a connection between the relationship of sprint mechanical variables, playing position and age. In this assignment, the midfielder had the fastest Vmax values, whereas the age group under 29 were the fastest. Compared to players on a higher skill level, the differences were present and followed an expected decrement compared to other studies.