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. The following functional tests were performed: Single Leg Step Down (STEP DOWN), Ankle Mobility Test (LUNGE), Y-Balance Test (YBT), and Single Leg Bridge Test (BRIDGE). Comparisons were made between seasons and against established cutoff values.

Results: Most athletes demonstrated moderate-to-good performance in the functional tests during PS-20. However, in PS-21, the players showed significantly improved performance in the LUNGE test (P = 0.001) but a decline in YBT performance (P = 0.009). Specifically, 68% and 21% of the U-20 players exhibited moderate-to-good performance in LUNGE and YBT, respectively, in PS-21.

Conclusion: After a period of restricted social and sports activities due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most U-20 soccer players experienced changes in their functional test performance. These findings highlight the need for medical and health professionals working with soccer teams to carefully plan exercise and rehabilitation programs during periods of activity restrictions.