Abstract
The purpose of the present study was to identify and compare acceleration speed in tests of running at 5 and 10 meters among young soccer players in three different age categories (U16: n=26, U17: n=14, U19: n=19). The screened sample consisted of Czech elite youth soccer players competing in the highest domestic league.
Acceleration speed was measured using photocells (Brower Timing system, Utah, USA). Results of the study showed the effect of the ontogenetic development on the level of acceleration speed in youth soccer players.
They can further serve as an indicative base in order to be compared with their counterparts' results in other research groups. The results may be beneficial in sport practice, especially for clinical staff, fitness coaches, soccer coaches and sports rehabilitation coaches with the aim of their comparison.