What does this research mean for the field?

Among various maturation assessment methods, only the ultrasonic BAUSport-defined peak height velocity (PHV) period is significantly associated with higher odds of growth-related injuries in elite youth football players. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

What question did this study set out to answer?

To investigate the association between multiple biological maturation assessment methods and the occurrence of growth-related and other injuries across peak height velocity stages in elite youth football players.

September 5, 2026Scientific ReportsOpen Access

Associations between maturation assessment methods and growth-related injury occurrence in a German Bundesliga youth football academy

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Authors

FLFelix Laukhardt TETobias Engeroff SSSebastian Schneider

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Overview

Prospective cohort study finds ultrasound-detected peak height velocity associates with growth-related injuries in youth football players, highlighting the value of precise maturation monitoring.

Key Points

To investigate the association between multiple biological maturation assessment methods and the occurrence of growth-related and other injuries across peak height velocity stages in elite youth football players.
Prospective observational cohort of 205 male academy players (U9–U16, 619 total assessments) monitored quarterly over one year in a German Bundesliga youth academy (DRKS00036919).
Assessed biological maturation across pre-, during, and post-peak height velocity periods using nine methods (Mirwald, Moore, Fransen [±6/12 months], Khamis-Roche [85–96%/88–96%], and ultrasonic BAUSport).
Classified quarterly injury incidence as no injury, growth-related, non-contact, or contact injury, analyzed using Bayesian multinomial regression models.
Only the ultrasonic BAUSport-defined peak height velocity period significantly associated with growth-related injuries, showing lower odds during pre-PHV (OR = 0.33) and post-PHV (OR = 0.17) periods relative to peak growth.
Most maturation assessment methods demonstrated higher odds of non-contact injuries relative to no injury as players matured, whereas contact injury risk did not differ across maturation stages.

Cite This Study

Laukhardt et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4606b95aff0620ec158 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-69051-y

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September 5, 2026Scientific ReportsOpen Access

Associations between maturation assessment methods and growth-related injury occurrence in a German Bundesliga youth football academy

View Full Paper

Ask AI

Bookmark

Authors

FLFelix Laukhardt TETobias Engeroff SSSebastian Schneider

Discussion

Member takes

Overview

Prospective cohort study finds ultrasound-detected peak height velocity associates with growth-related injuries in youth football players, highlighting the value of precise maturation monitoring.

Key Points

To investigate the association between multiple biological maturation assessment methods and the occurrence of growth-related and other injuries across peak height velocity stages in elite youth football players.
Prospective observational cohort of 205 male academy players (U9–U16, 619 total assessments) monitored quarterly over one year in a German Bundesliga youth academy (DRKS00036919).
Assessed biological maturation across pre-, during, and post-peak height velocity periods using nine methods (Mirwald, Moore, Fransen [±6/12 months], Khamis-Roche [85–96%/88–96%], and ultrasonic BAUSport).
Classified quarterly injury incidence as no injury, growth-related, non-contact, or contact injury, analyzed using Bayesian multinomial regression models.
Only the ultrasonic BAUSport-defined peak height velocity period significantly associated with growth-related injuries, showing lower odds during pre-PHV (OR = 0.33) and post-PHV (OR = 0.17) periods relative to peak growth.
Most maturation assessment methods demonstrated higher odds of non-contact injuries relative to no injury as players matured, whereas contact injury risk did not differ across maturation stages.

Cite This Study

Laukhardt et al. (2026) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6a9bd4606b95aff0620ec158 https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-026-69051-y

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