Observed and predicted ages at peak height velocity in soccer players

Abstract

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.

Reliability of biological maturation analyses performed by equations predicting skeletal age and peak height velocity with hand and wrist X‐ray results

“…Previously, Toselli et al (2019) showed that in Italian rugby players (age 15.1 ± 0.9 years old), the estimated result of years from PHV from Mirwald's equation was a good predictor for determining a BM group longitudinally. Likewise, Malina et al (2021) verified that both Mirwald and Moore's equations are significant in determining PHV in a sample of Portuguese football players of the under-13 category. The authors also verified that the differences of the PHV category classifications between the equations were acceptable.…”

Relationship Between Variations Accumulated Workload and Sprint Performance in Elite Adolescent Soccer Players

“…In literature, regarding the age at which PHV usually occurs in studies on male youth soccer players, one study reported that the mean age of PHV was 14.4 ± 0.65 years (range, 12.8-16.5 years) [24], and another study showed that the mean age of PHV was 13.60 ± 0.85 years. Also, in the same study, it was stated that a PHV was delayed by >14.45 years, whereas a PHV <12.75 years was advanced [25]. However, the hormonal and physiological level that drive the maturation thresholds are at critical impact on physical performance by regulating their adaptation to training responses [26].…”

GROWTH: Functional Data Analysis of the human height postnatal growth in an on-line application

“…In the next phase of developing commentary to the proposed method and its application O. Klíma, M. Čuta, L. Polcerová, P. Zemčík, A. Škultétyová, D. Černý, M. Králík this method, we fitted the curves using the SITAR method (Cole 2020;Cole et al 2010;, which allows us to work easily with a smaller number of unevenly distributed measurements. In any case, SITAR is a very robust method and has been proven in practical applications (Cole et al 2014;Malina -Coelho-e-Silva, et al 2021;. However, we ultimately moved to pure B-splines and the FDA method because the individual-specific B-spline provides a more accurate fit of the individual growth trajectory than the average spline used by the SITAR method.…”