Investigation of suitable field measurements for 12-13 age group footballers

The purpose of this investigation was to examine, the 12-13 years of age junior football players according to the distance covered during the match, heart rate and technical ability changes, to research the ideal pitch sizes and due to this variables which pitch size is suitable for this age group. Data were collected on 40 (N=40) junior football players: Playing experience (M=3.65 years, SD=1.31), Height (1.57 m, SD=0.96), Weight (M=46.41 kg, SD=8.46). In this study, same teams played against each other three times in three different pitch measurement, The first matches were played in large pitch (105x68 m), second matches in medium pitch (91x56 m), and last matches were played in small pitch (73x46m). To measure heart rate and distance covered during the match by GPS devices. To analyse the technical abilities video recordings has been made. The technical skill analyzes were made using computerized match analysis method. The average Heart Rate of the football players according to the different pitch size shows no statistical significance (P=0,344). The between first and second half of the matches in large pitch, medium pitch and small pitch differences are listed in order, 178±8/174±9, 177±8/176±8, 175±10/173±10 HR/min. As a result of distance covered analysis, large pitch 6767,2±542,4m is higher than medium pitch 6217,5±515,2m. Large pitch distance covered is higher than small pitch 5816,5±513,8m. First and second half total distance covered percentages in large pitch, between first and second half decreased by 8,48%, in medium pitch decreased by 4,63% and in small pitch 4,28% decrease are seen. The average total successful technical ability numbers shows statistical significance (P=0,017). Total successful technical ability in large pitch 52±42 , are found higher than total successful technical ability in small pitch 34±22. Total successful technical ability in medium pitch 36±22 has no statistical significance with small total successful technical ability. The second half in the large pitch total technical successful ability has decreased by 26,6%. The second half in the medium pitch total technical successful ability has decreased by 20%. . The second half in the small pitch total technical successful ability has decreased by 38%. To conclude our research, 12-13 years of age junior football players in Turkey, who played matches in large pitch showed symptoms of fatigue, physiological and technical abilities decreases in percentage in the second half of the match which supports the hypothesis that exhaustion is higher in large pitch than medium and small pitch. As a result of this research, in second half physiological and technical abilities decrease than first half in large pitch junior football players. The decrease in the pitch size would further decrease the rate physiological and technical abilities. Keywords: Soccer, football pitch size, heart rate, distance covered, technical ability.