Maturity-associated considerations for training load, injury risk, and physical performance in youth soccer: One size does not fit all

Towlson, Chris; Salter, Jamie; Ade, Jack; Enright, Kevin; Harper, Liam D.; Page, Richard; Malone, James J.

doi:10.1016/j.jshs.2020.09.003

Cited by 107 publications

(121 citation statements)

References 83 publications

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“…Predicted maturity offset, defined as time before peak height velocity (PHV) [1,2], and estimated age at PHV, i.e., chronological age (CA) minus predicted offset, are widely used as estimates of maturity status (state of maturation at the time of observation) and/or timing (age at which a specific maturational event occurs) in studies of youth athletes and to a lesser extent in studies youth physical activity and fitness [3][4][5][6]. The original sex-specific equations require CA, sitting height, estimated leg length, height and weight [1], while the modified equations [2] require CA and height (both sexes) or sitting height (boys).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Current interest in the application of the maturity offset prediction equations in samples of youth athletes is considerable [3][4][5][6]. Predictions based on the original and modified equations, however, depend upon CA and body size at prediction, have reduced variation relative to observed ages at PHV, and have major limitations with early and late maturing youth as defined by observed ages at PHV [7][8][9][10][11].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Observed and predicted ages at peak height velocity in soccer players

et al. 2021

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The purpose of the study was to evaluate predicted maturity offset (time before age at PHV) and age at PHV (chronological age [CA] minus maturity offset) in a longitudinal sample of 58 under-13 club level soccer players in central Portugal for whom ages at PHV were estimated with the SITAR model. Two maturity offset prediction equations were applied: the original equation which requires CA sitting height, estimated leg length, height and weight, and a modified equation which requires CA and height. Predicted maturity offset increased, on average, with CA at prediction throughout the age range considered, while variation in predicted maturity offset and ages at PHV within CA groups was considerably reduced compared to variation in observed ages at offset and at PHV. Predicted maturity offset and ages at PHV were consistently later than observed maturity offset and age at PHV among early maturing players, and earlier than observed in late maturing players. Both predicted offset and ages at PHV with the two equations were, on average, later than observed among players maturing on time. Intra-individual variation in predicted ages at PHV with each equation was considerable. The results for soccer players were consistent with similar studies in the general population and two recent longitudinal studies of soccer players. The results question the utility of predicted maturity offset and age at PHV as valid indicators of maturity timing and status.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Observed and predicted ages at peak height velocity in soccer players

et al. 2021

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“…Peak-height velocity has been suggested to coincide with increased risk and incidence of non-contact and training related injury in team sports [22][23][24] which is concerning for practitioners. It is common within literature to di-, or tri-chotomise the maturation process into periods, often termed pre-, circa-or post-PHV to categorise individuals.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Estimating somatic maturity in adolescent soccer players: Methodological comparisons

Salter

Cumming

Hughes

et al. 2021

International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching

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Purpose Monitoring maturation facilitates effective talent development. Various methods of maturity estimation exist with limited knowledge of concordance between methods. This study aims to establish agreement between methods of varied constructs to predict maturity status and compare concordance of methods to categorise players using established thresholds. Methods This study compared four maturity equations using anthropometrical data from 113 male adolescent soccer players (mean ±SD; age, 14.3 ± 1 years) from two academies. Conservative (±1 year) and less conservative (±0.5 years) circa-PHV thresholds were employed. Results Analysis indicates tight (±0.3 year) agreement between maturity offset methods (MO), but broader agreement between MO and predicted adult height methods (–1.5 to 1 year). However, Kappa Cohen k suggests moderate to substantial (44%–67%) and fair to moderate (31%–60%) concordance between methods when using the conservative and less conservative circa-PHV thresholds respectively. Conclusion Despite MO equation iterations claiming to reduce systematic error, they provide very similar estimations. Additionally, practitioners should not use maturity offset and predicted adult height methods interchangeably and are encouraged to apply either method consistently when looking to estimate maturity status or biologically calssify players.

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“…The higher incidence at PHV was reported also by other authors (6,19). According to Towlson et al (2020) during adolescent growth spurt, boys show a rapid growth (also between 7 and 12 cm per year), which may partially explain the phenomenon "adolescent awkwardness," whereby the trunk and lower limb length have increased but soft tissues have yet to adapt to the size and weight of the frame, causing abnormal movement mechanics that negatively impact performance. This rapid change in musculoskeletal structure and apparent lag time to adequate relative strength is individually variable based on maturity tempo, which likely corresponds to a variation in readiness to perform and, by inference, to vulnerability to injuries.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 62%

“…Taking into account the specific nature of injuries, traumatic injury and overuse injuries did not show a significant difference among the three maturity groups. Traumatic injury incidence showed a tendency to increase from the year before PHV to the year of PHV, while after this (20). These maturation-dependent differences in injury risk should be a point of attention for practitioners, with particular regard to the highly demanding mechanical loading of training practices and intensified bouts of match-play often experienced during match-format football.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 96%

Injury risk and maturity status in Italian elite young football player

Toselli¹,

Benedetti²,

Miceli³

et al. 2021

Muscle Ligaments and Tendons J

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Background. Football is one of the world's most popular sport with most players being younger than 18 years. Playing football can induce beneficial health effects in youth, but there is also a high risk of injury. In young football players, the relationship between injury risk in the different periods from peak height velocity (PHV) remains unclear. The objective of the study was to investigate the associations between the injury risk and injury burden in young Italian football players in different periods from PHV (pre-PHV, PHV and Post-PHV). Methods. One hundred and forty-one young players (age = 13.9 ± 0.8 years) were subdivided in three groups on the basis of maturity status: PHV was set by taking 6 months before and 6 months after the age at PHV; the 12 months before this year were allocated as the year before PHV (Pre-PHV); the 12 months after this year were allocated as the year after PHV (Post-PHV). The number of injuries was calculated for each player per year; injuries were classified by location, type, body-site and mechanism of injury (traumatic or overuse). Training and match injury incidence was also calculated and resulted 4.2 ± 6.9 per 1000 h and 10.0 ± 34.2 per 1000 h, respectively. Results. In total 25214 hours of exposure were recorded. A total of 83 injuries were reported. Most injuries (77%) were located in the lower limbs; the most common injuries were joint/ligament injuries (36%). Traumatic injury showed a tendency to increase from the year before PHV to the year of PHV, and after this period a decrease can be observed; while, overuse injuries incidence remains constant until PHV, and then decreased in the year after PHV, albeit the differences were not statistically significant. A non-significant higher training injury incidence was found at PHV, while match injury incidence was higher at Pre-PHV. Days missed due to injury show an increase up to PHV, and then a considerable decrease in the year after PHV; the difference among groups were statistically significant (p = 0.039); moreover, the effect size between PHV and Post-PHV was moderate. The mean of exposure shows a significant increase from the year before PHV to the year after PHV (p = 0.0089), furthermore, the effect size between Pre-PHV and Post-PHV was large. Conclusions. The results of this study on young Italian football players confirm the overall increased vulnerability of the athletes in the PHV period. Great attention should be given to the maturity status of the subjects. To try to limit injuries, training programs should be calibrated on the state of maturity of the players and not on their chronological age.

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Maturity-associated considerations for training load, injury risk, and physical performance in youth soccer: One size does not fit all

Cited by 107 publications

References 83 publications

Observed and predicted ages at peak height velocity in soccer players

Observed and predicted ages at peak height velocity in soccer players

Estimating somatic maturity in adolescent soccer players: Methodological comparisons

Injury risk and maturity status in Italian elite young football player

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