Bio-banding in soccer: past, present, and future

Towlson, Chris; Cumming, Sean P.

Abstract

Maturity-related selection biases are engrained within professional academy soccer programmes. The process of grouping of children by biological maturity (“bio-banding”), rather than age is not new. However, practice of bio-banding is becoming increasingly popular with youth soccer development programmes where maturity-related differences in size and athleticism have been cited as key mechanisms behind the over-selection of early over late maturing players. However, the objectives of bio-banding require further clarity to avoid a disconnect between contemporary academic evidence and present and future practitioner practice. Therefore, the purpose of this commentary is to 1) provide a concise overview of the literature (to date), 2) identify possible applications of bio-banding to permit more informed decisions relating to the evaluation and management of young soccer players and (3) propose future directions for both research and applied practice.

Citation

Towlson, C., & Cumming, S. P. (in press). Bio-banding in soccer: past, present, and future. Annals of Human Biology, https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2022.2129091

• Journal Article Type: Commentary
• Acceptance Date: Sep 12, 2022
• Online Publication Date: Oct 14, 2022
• Deposit Date: Sep 23, 2022
• Publicly Available Date: Oct 15, 2023
• Journal: Annals of Human Biology
• Print ISSN: 0301-4460
• Electronic ISSN: 1464-5033
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2022.2129091
• Keywords: Maturation; Maturity, talent identification; Long-term athletic development
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/4082545