Athletic performance levels across biological maturity status in youth soccer players

Bibliographic Data

ID22220736
AuthorsGiuseppe Scardina (University of Palermo), Guglielmo Pillitteri (0000-0002-0905-6401, University of Palermo), Domenico Savio Salvatore Vicari (0009-0003-0568-9812, University of Verona), Alberto Canzone (0009-0003-9198-9669, University of Verona), Filipe Manuel Clemente (0000-0001-9813-2842, Polytechnic Institute of Viana do Castelo), Valerio Giustino (0000-0002-4575-8021, University of Palermo, corresponding author), Antonino Bianco (0000-0001-8334-6581, University of Palermo)
Year2026
Volume8
Pages1856821-1856821
Publication date2026-06-22
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Sports and Active Living (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2624-9367 • E-ISSN: 2624-9367
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fspor.2026.1856821
PMID42440644
OpenAlexW7165521349
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited58

Introduction Biological maturation can produce substantial inter-individual variability in physical performance among youth soccer players. However, whether its influence differs in magnitude across physical domains has been little examined within a testing battery. Methods Forty-four youth male soccer players (13.12 ± 1.75 years; U13-U16) were assessed for countermovement jump (CMJ) height, lower limb peak power, sprint speed over 10 and 30 m (reflecting acceleration and maximal velocity, respectively), and VO2max. Predicted maturity status was classified into pre-, circa-, and post-PHV (peak height velocity) groups using the modified Mirwald equation. Group differences were analyzed using the one-way ANOVA. Results Post-PHV group outperformed both pre- and circa-PHV groups across all outcomes ( p ≤ 0.05). Effect sizes were large in all outcomes, and the most significant were recorded for lower limb peak power ( ε 2 = 0.73), followed by 30-m sprint ( η 2 = 0.63), 10-m sprint ( η 2 = 0.51), VO2max ( ε 2 = 0.51), and CMJ height ( η 2 = 0.40). Conclusion Maturity status is associated with large performance advantages across all tested domains in youth soccer players. Post-PHV players demonstrated significantly higher performance in jumping, sprinting, aerobic capacity, and lower limb peak power and support the integration of predicted maturity assessments in physical profiling, training program design, as well as for facilitating talent identification

Athletes · Countermovement · Jump · Lower limb · Maturity (psychological) · Sprint · Vertical jump · Genetics and Physical Performance · Sport Psychology and Performance · Sports Performance and Training

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