Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Bergen, Bergen, Norway.
Department of Sport, Food and Natural Sciences, Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Sogndal, Sogndal, Norway.
Scand J Med Sci Sports. 2022 Nov;32(11):1592-1601. doi: 10.1111/sms.14225. Epub 2022 Aug 30.
Biological maturity level has shown to affect sport performance in youths. However, most previous studies have used noninvasive methods to estimate maturity level. Thus, the main aim of the present study was to investigate the association between skeletal age (SA) as a measure of biological maturation level, match locomotion, and physical capacity in male youth soccer players.
Thirty-eight Norwegian players were followed during two consecutive seasons (U14 and U15). Match locomotion was assessed with GPS-tracking in matches. SA, assessed by x-ray, physical capacities (speed, strength and endurance) and anthropometrics were measured in the middle of each season. Analysis of associations between SA, match locomotion, and physical capacities were adjusted for the potential confounding effect of body height and weight.
In matches, positive associations were found between SA and maximal speed and running distance in the highest speed zones. Further, SA was associated with 40 m sprint time and countermovement jump (CMJ) height, and with intermittent-endurance capacity after adjusting for body height (U14). Associations between SA and leg strength and power, and between SA and absolute VO were not significant after adjusting for body weight. There was no association between SA and total distance covered in matches.
Biological maturity level influence match locomotion and performance on physical capacity tests. It is important that players, parents and coaches are aware of the advantages more mature players have during puberty, and that less mature players also are given attention, appropriate training and match competition to ensure proper development.
生物成熟度已被证明会影响青少年的运动表现。然而，大多数先前的研究都使用非侵入性方法来估计成熟度水平。因此，本研究的主要目的是探讨骨骼年龄（SA）作为生物成熟度水平的衡量标准，与男性青年足球运动员比赛中的运动表现和身体能力之间的关系。
38 名挪威球员在连续两个赛季（U14 和 U15）中进行了跟踪研究。通过 GPS 跟踪在比赛中评估比赛中的运动表现。SA 通过 X 光评估，在每个赛季的中期测量身体能力（速度、力量和耐力）和人体测量学指标。对 SA、比赛中的运动表现和身体能力之间的关联进行分析，以调整身体高度和体重的潜在混杂效应。
在比赛中，发现 SA 与最高速度区的最大速度和跑动距离呈正相关。此外，SA 与 40 米冲刺时间和下蹲跳（CMJ）高度相关，并且在调整身体高度后与间歇耐力能力相关（U14）。调整体重后，SA 与腿部力量和功率之间以及 SA 与绝对 VO 之间的关联不显著。SA 与比赛中总跑动距离之间没有关联。
生物成熟度水平影响比赛中的运动表现和身体能力测试中的表现。球员、家长和教练应该意识到青春期更成熟球员的优势，并且给予不够成熟的球员足够的关注、适当的训练和比赛竞争，以确保其正常发育，这一点非常重要。
