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The aim of this cross-sectional study was to assess the influence of the maturity status on speed, explosive power and change of direction (COD) in 13-year-old football players. Ninety-eight male players (age: 13.1 ± 1.0 y) were divided into late, average and early-maturation groups. Physical fitness testing included the following variables: 10 and 30 m sprint time and maximum speed in the 20–30 m segment of the 30 m sprint test, the T-test time, countermovement jump height and horizontal distance in the triple jump. The data showed a significant effect of maturity status on performance in three parameters: at maximum speed in the 20–30 m section (p = 0.024), but the only significant differences were found between the early-maturation group and average-maturation group (p = 0.033); in the COD (p = 0.024), where significant differences were confirmed between the late-maturation group and the average-maturation group (p = 0.033); and in the unilateral triple jump distance of the dominant and non-dominant (p = 0.007 and p = 0.001, respectively) lower limb. For both limbs, significant differences between the late-maturation group and average-maturation group (p = 0.005 and p = 0.013, respectively) as well as the late-maturation group and early-maturation group (p = 0.007 and p = 0.045, respectively) were shown. These results indicate that maximal speed, COD speed and unilateral lower limb reactive strength are moderated by biological age in football players aged 13 years.
Lehnert et al. (Wed,) studied this question.