Biological maturation, morphology, fitness, and motor coordination as part of a selection strategy in the search for international youth soccer players (age 15–16 years)

Abstract

We report the morphology (height, weight, body fat, body mass index), fitness (strength, speed, agility, flexibility), and soccer-specific (dribbling) and non-specific motor coordination skills (Körper KoordinationsTest für Kinder; KTK) of 78 Belgian international youth soccer players aged 15-16 years with varying biological maturity status. The more mature players (U16 and U17) possessed higher morphological measures and outperformed their later maturing peers (U16 Futures and U17 Futures) on almost all fitness tests. However, soccer-specific and non-specific motor coordination tests did not distinguish the more mature players from the later maturing players in both age groups. When adjusted for the confounder (age at peak height velocity), multivariate analysis of covariance revealed that several morphology- and fitness-related parameters did not differ between selection groups, again in both age groups. These findings indicate that biological maturation affects morphology and fitness more so than motor coordination skills. In conclusion, to prevent the dropout of promising late maturing players, we suggest avoiding one-dimensional approaches and to include measures of biological maturity status as well as maturity independent performance tests during the talent identification and selection process.

Differences in the motor coordination abilities among adolescent gymnasts, swimmers, and ice hockey players

“…However, previous studies in the area have produced contradictory results as to whether motor coordination can be improved as an outcome of intensive sport-related practice [6,[10][11][12]20]. The results of this study provide evidence highlighting that motor coordination skills assessed across adolescence demonstrate greater variability than previously reported [5,6].…”

Developmental and physical-fitness associations with gross motor coordination problems in Peruvian children

“…Biological maturation is sometimes considered a confounding factor in motor performance, given that increments in speed, endurance and power have been observed around the time of age at peak height velocity (Philippaerts et al, 2006). Vandendriessche et al (2012) studied how biological maturation may affect fitness and motor coordination skills, but in a specific sample -male soccer players aged 15-16 years. These authors reported that more mature players outperformed their later maturing peers on almost all fitness tests, but motor coordination tests assessed by KTK battery did not differentiate the more mature group from their latter peers.…”

Comparison of tactical principles efficiency among soccer players from different game positions

“…Da costa et al [15] investigated the frequency, efficiency, and performance index of soccer players in training, comparing them by game category, while the majority of studies have focused on high performance athletes [14,16]. It is known that regional players tend to underestimate the performance results of national players [17]; however, this should be investigated through tactical aspects, relevant to understand whether different principles are executed with similar efficiency between regional players.…”