Differences in Maturity and Anthropometric and Morphological Characteristics among Young Male Basketball and Soccer Players and Non-Players

Abstract

Background: An aspect that influences sport performance is maturation status, since, within the same chronological age group, boys who have advanced maturation outperform their late maturing peers in tests of muscular strength, power, and endurance. Therefore, the aims of the present study were: (i) to investigate the differences in biological maturation and anthropometric and morphological characteristics among three groups of Italian adolescents, two of which were sportive (practicing basketball and football) and one non-sportive, and (ii) to identify the anthropometric and morphological predictors that best discriminate these three groups. Methods: Sixty-one basketball and 62 soccer players and 68 non-sportive youths were measured (mean age = 13.0 ± 1.1 y). Anthropometric characteristics were taken and body mass index, cormic index, body composition parameters, and somatotype were derived. An estimation of maturity status was carried out considering the years from peak height velocity (PHV). Two-way 3 × 3 ANOVAs was performed on all anthropometric characteristics to test the differences within sport groups and maturity status groups. Discriminant function analysis (stepwise criteria) was then applied to anthropometric and body composition variables to classify subjects into the three different sport categories. Results: Differences in anthropometric characteristics were detected among the three groups. For somatotype, differences among all of the considered groups were higher for endomorphy (p < 0.001; effect size = 0.13). Biological maturity influences the differences in the anthropometric characteristics and body composition among subjects of the same chronological age during adolescence. The variables that best discriminated the three groups were represented by body composition parameters, body proportions, and body build. Conclusions: This study confirms that boys who practice sport present healthier body composition parameters, with lower level of fat parameters. The assessment of maturity status is a fundamental factor in explaining anthropometric and body composition differences among peers in this period. Its comprehension may assist coaches and technical staff in optimizing competitive efficiency and monitoring the success of training regimes.

Bioimpedance Vector Patterns according to Age and Handgrip Strength in Adolescent Male and Female Athletes

“…Lastly, unfortunately, in the present study, it was not possible to assess the biological maturity status of the participants. However, our results are in agreement with other studies that used chronological age [ 26 , 34 , 39 , 40 ] and maturity status [ 32 , 38 ]. Deuremberg et al [ 41 ] observed that a specific impedance was positively related with age until 13 years for both sexes, after which sex differences became apparent.…”

Assessment of Body Composition and Physical Performance of Young Soccer Players: Differences According to the Competitive Level

“…Among the anthropometric characteristics, the results of this study showed that skinfolds are the parameters that differ most between the two groups. This confirms the importance of monitoring body fat, as appropriate fat levels enable players to move more effectively during training and games [ 44 , 45 ]. In particular, the triceps skinfold showed significant differences between competitive levels in each category.…”

Body Composition Interactions with Physical Fitness: A Cross-Sectional Study in Youth Soccer Players

“…It is well known that body composition, namely the percentage of body fat, has a negative impact on aerobic and anaerobic capacity, strength, power, and speed [ 2 , 50 , 51 , 52 , 53 ], as well as the ability to perform high-intensity and maximum-speed running [ 54 ]. Additionally, the effect that physical conditioning has in the ability to jump vertically and in the ability to perform specific tasks quickly is also known [ 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 ].…”