Why we do it, how we do it, and can we do it better? Key stakeholder perceptions of physical fitness testing as part of a talent development programme in professional youth soccer

Abstract

Increases in the demands placed upon soccer players during training and competition have resulted in an even greater role being played by sport scientists to compliment technical coaches. However, evaluation of multidisciplinary perspectives to routine processes and provisions within soccer talent development remain somewhat unexplored. This study aimed to investigate experiences of working as a multidisciplinary team with regards to utilising fitness testing as part of the talent development process within a professional soccer academy. Focus group interviews were conducted with six coaches (technical coaches: n = 3; physical performance coaches: n = 3) working within a professional soccer academy to explore their general philosophy, aims, decision making, and opinions in relation to physical fitness testing. Qualitative data collected from focus groups were analysed using framework analysis, which facilitated a systematic approach to framework advancement. Three themes were generated from the focus groups related to: i) Intentions and rationale behind physical fitness testing provision; ii) Utility of physical fitness test results within talent development; and iii) Reflective experiences of multidisciplinary practice associated with physical fitness testing. While technical and physical performance coaches were aligned with their perspectives related to these central concepts, role- and discipline-specific context was apparent. Collectively, results from this study may help rationalise physical fitness testing as part of academy player development in soccer and identify areas for improvement and refinement within these processes. These findings can act as a foundation to encourage similar reflective and evaluative processes in comparable talent development environments.