Influence of Skeletal Maturity on Size, Function and Sport-specific Technical Skills in Youth Soccer Players

Abstract

This study compared variation in size, function and sport-specific technical skills of youth soccer players associated with differences in biological maturity status. 60 male soccer players of under-14 (U14) and under-17 (U17) categories were submitted to anthropometric and body composition measurements as well as motor and soccer-specific technical skill tests. Skeletal maturity was determined by skeletal age. Athletes of both categories were classified as early, on-time or late-maturing, according to the difference between chronological age and skeletal age. Body mass and height were lower in the late athletes, independent of category (P<0.01). Differences in adiposity were found only between athletes of the U14 (late<early, P<0.05). Statistically significant differences were identified on aerobic endurance in U14 (early<on time, P<0.01), upper limbs muscular strength (late<early, P<0.01) and flexibility in U17 (late<on time, P<0.05). Players in each age group of contrasting maturity status do not differ in soccer-specific skills. The results suggest that the maturational development influences body mass, height, body fat, flexibility, muscular strength of upper limbs and cardiorespiratory fitness, whereas the specific technical skills and other functional capabilities do not seem to be affected.

Influence of biological maturation on speed, jump, and endurance in high-level youth soccer players

“…This was in accordance with the results from Deprez et al (2015) where highest improvement in both subsamples occurred around the timing of PHV (when players moved from pre-to post-PHV). The results were also in accordance with a study of youth Brazilian soccer players (Gouvea et al, 2016) where the U-17 athletes presented superior Table 2. Physical performance according to peak age velocity (PHV) status in youth soccer players.…”

Maturational stages: comparison of growth and physical capacity indicators in adolescents

“…Recently, studies have found that individuals in the same age group with different maturational stages have different growth and motor performance indicators, suggesting that maturation is an important tool to be used in conjunction with growth and motor performance indicators to provide more accurate interpretations of these individuals [4][5][6] . During adolescence, the accelerated maturational stage reflects on body growth, strength and power compared to individuals with delayed biological development 5,7,8 , however, with age advancement, these differences tend to be reduced and/or eliminated and contribute to the reduction of participation of adolescents in sports activities 9 .…”

Periodização ondulatória vs periodização linear

“…Em função de investigações científicas indicarem influência do %G e do IMC no desempenho de atletas [22][23] , decidiu-se controlar estas variáveis nas análises estatísticas.…”