Elite U17 football players’ physical parameters: focus on contextual variables during training and matches

The aim of the study was to examine the distribution of training load in relation to the match location, the opponent’s level and the result of the game amongst U17 hungarian elite youth football players. Data was measured with Catapult Vector S7 GPS technology throughout 13 weeks, during the 2022–2023 season (January-June). We measured six volume and six intensity variables, which were analysed depending on the number of days before a match day (MD). The results show that the volume and intensity are significantly higher on MD-4 (e.g. four days before the match) and MD-2 than on MD-1 and MD-5 sessions. Before home games, on MD-5 the players performed better within all of the volume variables than before away games. Before a winning game the intensity of MD-1 training day was lower (TD (m/min), HSR (m/min), TPL (au/min)) than before a lost game. The intensity on MD-2 training day when preparing for a weaker opponent was significantly more intensive (TD (m/min), ACC (count/min), DEC (count/min)) than when it came to a stronger opponent. The examined academy U17 players don’t yet achieve absolute and relative volume and intensity of trainings and matches as previously reported for adult players.