Effects of maturational status on physical performance of elite youth football players

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to investigate the influence of biological maturation on physical performance in countermovement jump (CMJ), sprint time (5, 10, 25 and 30m) and maximal sprinting speed in adolescent elite football players. METHODS: One hundred twenty-one male adolescent elite football players from AaB Academy were included in the trial. In total, 515 physical tests on CMJ and sprint performance were carried out during the time of data collection (2020-2023). Maturation status was calculated as percent of predicted adult height (%PAH). Five groups, based on %PAH were formed to investigate the differences in physical performance due to biological maturation status. RESULTS: Anthropometry as well as physical performance differed significantly (P<0.05) between all five maturation groups. The largest effect sizes were detected during the adolescent growth spurt which occurred from just before to just after peak height velocity. CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that physical performance of adolescent elite football players measured on CMJ, sprint time (5, 10, 25 and 30m) and maximal sprinting speed varies based on different time points in the biological maturation period. The players located close to peak height velocity experienced a significant increase in performance compared to players located in the remaining bands.