The pathway to senior soccer: quantifying positional match demands from Under-17 to first team

This study aimed to quantify and compare match demands between age groups, and to assess age group and positional interactions. Seventy-nine male outfield players from an English National League professional soccer club were monitored using 10-Hz global positioning system units (Catapult Sports, Catapult One), with data collected across the 2021–2022 and 2022–2023 seasons. Players were categorised into four age groups: Under-17 (U17), Under-18 (U18), Under-23 (U23), and first team, and assigned to one of four positions (centre-back, full-back, central midfielder, forward). Data from 660 competitive match observations were analysed. External load parameters were total distance, high-speed running, sprint distance (all m·min−1), number of accelerations and decelerations (min−1), and PlayerLoad (au). Age group analysis revealed significant differences in sprint distance per minute (p = 0.031) and PlayerLoad (p < 0.001), with the first team covering greater sprint distances than U17s (1.9 vs. 1.1 m·min−1, p = 0.025) and demonstrating higher PlayerLoad than U23s (458 vs 431 au). Although significant positional differences were identified across all metrics (p < 0.001), positional demands were generally similar between age groups. Overall, this study highlights age group differences in sprint distance and PlayerLoad, and supports targeted training to prepare players for senior football.