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

Highlights

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  Estimates of players’ maturity status should be taken every 3–4 months during an annual season, with a focus on players approaching and during peak height velocity.

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  Key stakeholders should be educated about maturation and peak height velocity, particularly in relation to the potential use of bio-banding strategies.

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  Clear lines of communication should be established with key stakeholders in order to identify the volume of weekly physical activity each child is engaged in.

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  The prediction error embroiled within each maturity-estimation equation should be considered, along with the implications of additional errors imposed by spurious anthropometric measurements (i.e., self-reported birth-parent stature).

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  Key stakeholders should be aware of the increased risk of injuries owing to inappropriate training loads across peak height velocity.

Abstract

Biological maturation can be defined as the timing and tempo of progress to achieving a mature state. The estimation of age of peak height velocity (PHV) or percentage of final estimated adult stature attainment (%EASA) is typically used to inform the training process in young athletes. In youth soccer, maturity-related changes in anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics are diverse among individuals, particularly around PHV. During this time, players are also at an increased risk of sustaining an overuse or growth-related injury. As a result, the implementation of training interventions can be challenging. The purpose of this review was to (1) highlight and discuss many of the methods that can be used to estimate maturation in the applied setting and (2) discuss the implications of manipulating training load around PHV on physical development and injury risk. We have provided key stakeholders with a practical online tool for estimating player maturation status ( ^{Supplementary Maturity Estimation Tools} ). Whilst estimating maturity using predictive equations is useful in guiding the training process, practitioners should be aware of its limitations. To increase the accuracy and usefulness of data, it is also vital that sports scientists implement reliable testing protocols at predetermined time-points.

Graphical abstract