The Role of Growth and Maturation in the Physical Development of
                    Youth Male Soccer Players

Hilde Gundersen; Halvard Grendstad; Cecilie Brekke Rygh; Arild Hafstad; Mona Vestbøstad; Erling Algerøy; Otto R. F. Smith; Malene Joensen; Morten Kristoffersen

doi:10.1055/a-2675-1198

International Journal of Sports Medicine, Inhaltsverzeichnis

Int J Sports Med
DOI: 10.1055/a-2675-1198

Training & Testing

The Role of Growth and Maturation in the Physical Development of Youth Male Soccer Players

Hilde Gundersen

¹Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway (Ringgold ID: RIN1657)

,

Halvard Grendstad

²Institute of Physical Performance, Norwegian School of Sports Sciences, Oslo, Norway (Ringgold ID: RIN25567)

,

Cecilie Brekke Rygh

³Department of Radiology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway (Ringgold ID: RIN60498)

,

Arild Hafstad

¹Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway (Ringgold ID: RIN1657)

,

Mona Vestbøstad

⁴Department of Health and Functioning, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway (Ringgold ID: RIN1657)

,

Erling Algerøy

⁵Department of Teacher Education, NLA University College, Bergen, Norway (Ringgold ID: RIN87486)

,

Otto R. F. Smith

⁵Department of Teacher Education, NLA University College, Bergen, Norway (Ringgold ID: RIN87486)

⁶Department of Health Promotion, Norwegian Institute of Public Health, Oslo, Norway (Ringgold ID: RIN25563)

,

Malene Joensen

⁷Western Norway Cluster of Sports, Western Norway Cluster of Sports, Bergen, Norway

,

Morten Kristoffersen

¹Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Bergen, Norway (Ringgold ID: RIN1657)

› Institutsangaben

Abstract

Biological maturation and growth influence youth athletes’ physical performance during adolescence. However, how this association develops over time remains unclear. Thus, this study examined associations between biological maturity and sprint speed, vertical jumping ability, leg strength, and aerobic capacity between ages 14.1 and 17.4 in youth male soccer players. A total of 103 players were followed. Performance in 40-m sprint, countermovement jump (CMJ), leg press, and maximal oxygen consumption (V̇O_2max) was tested biannually at seven time points. Maturity was estimated using bone age from hand-wrist X-rays. Latent growth modelling examined changes in maturity-performance associations over time. Maturity was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with sprint, CMJ, leg strength (force and power), and V̇O₂ _max at ages 14.1, 14.7, and 15.3 years. The associations were, however, less significant over time. Specifically, maturity was no longer statistically associated with sprint and CMJ performance at 15.7 years, force and V̇O₂ _max at 16.4 years, and power at 16.8 years. There were no significant associations at 17.4 years. Biological maturity influences physical capacities during early adolescence, but its impact diminishes as players age. The timing of this decline appears to vary between physical performance domains, with sprint and jump performance stabilizing earlier than muscular strength and aerobic capacity.

Keywords

puberty - growth - adolescence - maturation - physical performance - athletic development

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Referenzen

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