Functional performance profile of Under-20 soccer athletes from a Brazilian first division team during the COVID-19 pandemic: A descriptive study.

Background: The COVID-19 pandemic led to widespread social isolation and the suspension of sports activities, significantly impacting the physical and psychological performance of athletes worldwide, particularly soccer players. This study aims to evaluate the effects of pandemic-related training suspensions on the functional performance of U-20 soccer players from a first-division club in Rio de Janeiro.

Methods: Forty-one male U-20 soccer players were assessed during the preseason (PS) periods of 2020 and 2021.