Evolución de indicadores técnico-tácticos de rendimiento en función de la categoría de edad en fútbol masculino y femenino

Abstract

The aim of this doctoral thesis was to analyse the evolution of technical-tactical performance indicators as a function of age category in men's and women's football teams. Three studies were developed, study 1 comprised a total of 22,065 men's football players from 202 Division I National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) teams in the United States in the 2010-2011 to 2020-2021 seasons. In study 2, the sample was matches between men's World Cup age group World Cup teams (U-17, U-20 and senior), during the championships (2004 to 2019). The matches were played by 47 nations. For study 3, the sample was matches between women's national teams that played the World Cup in the age categories (U-17, U-20 and senior), during the championships (2004 to 2019). The matches were played by 47 nations. A retrospective non-experimental (observational) design was used to analyse a number of football-related variables. These variables included matches played, matches started, points, ball possession, chances, shots on goal, shots on target, shots on goal, corners, efficiency, goals scored, offside, fouls committed, yellow card, red card and red card for second yellow. Adjustments were made to the variables of chances and efficiency. Several statistical analyses were carried out to examine different aspects of the studies. To assess the differences between winners and losers, a T-test and discriminant analysis were used. A T-test was used to analyse the evolution between the championships of the decades 2003-2009 and 2010-2019. To study changes between different championships, linear regression was used and the slope was examined. An analysis of variance (ANOVA) with a post-hoc comparison (Tukey) was performed to investigate differences between age groups. Structural coefficients (SC) were used to discriminate between winning and losing teams, considering a SC greater than 0.30. According to the findings, significant differences were found between male and female winning teams in U-17, U-20 and senior categories of the World Cups. Winning teams in the U-17 category showed a higher number of shots, shots on goal and goals compared to winning teams in the U-20 and senior categories. As the players progress in their training, there is a greater balance between the teams. In the men's and women's teams in the U-20 and senior categories, a better balance between offensive and defensive actions is observed. Although U-20 teams have fewer offensive options compared to U-17 teams, they tend to be more effective in their offensive actions. This could be explained by the fact that players at U-20 and senior level tend to have more experience in football and have developed a more advanced tactical understanding of the game. In addition, they have progressed in the development and refinement of their physical and technical skills, as well as in their ability to study and analyse their opponents. In general, in the men's national teams (U-17, U-20 and senior), there has been an evolution towards more effective playing strategies focused on generating scoring opportunities. Priority has been given to the quality of the playing situations rather than to looking for a high number of chances. Despite fewer shots and chances, there has been an increase in efficiency. In addition, nationally, it has been found that in NCAA Division I U-23 male players, as teams gain experience over the years, their participation in offensive play increases.