Does maturation influence neuromuscular performance and muscle damage after competitive match‐play in youth male soccer players?

Poor neuromuscular control and fatigue have been proposed as a risk factor for non‐contact injuries especially around peak height velocity (PHV). This study explored the effects of competitive soccer match‐play on neuromuscular performance and muscle damage in male youth soccer players. 24 youth players aged 13‐16y were split into a PHV group (−0.5 to 0.5y) and post PHV group (1.0–2.5y) based on maturity off‐set. Leg stiffness, reactive strength index (RSI), muscle activation, creatine kinase (CK), and muscle soreness were determined pre and post a competitive soccer match. Paired t‐tests were used to explore differences pre and post competitive match play and independent sample t‐tests for between groups differences for all outcome measures. There was no significant fatigue‐related change in absolute and relative leg stiffness or muscle activation in both groups, except for the gastrocnemius in the post PHV group. RSI, CK and perceived muscle soreness were significantly different after soccer match‐play in both groups with small to large effects observed (ES:0.41–2.82). There were no significant differences between the groups pre match‐play except for absolute and relative leg stiffness ( P < 0.001; ES = 1.16 and 0.63 respectively). No significant differences were observed in the fatigue related responses to competitive match play between groups except for perceived muscle soreness. The influence of competitive match‐play on neuromuscular function and muscle damage is similar in male youth around the time of PHV and those post‐PHV indicating that other factors must contribute to the heightened injury risk around PHV.