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.
Key words
sport selection - technical skills - fitness - maturation - growth
