When does the influence of maturation on anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics increase and subside?

Towlson, C.; Cobley, S.; Parkin, G.; Lovell, R.

Abstract

The relationships between maturation and anthropometric and physical performance characteristics are dynamic and often asynchronous; confounding the capability to accurately evaluate performance during adolescence. This study aimed to (i) examine the influence of chronological age (CA) and somatic maturation (YPHV) upon anthropometric and physical performance parameters, and (ii) identify the transition/change time points in these relationships using segmental regression. N = 969 soccer players (8-18 years of age) completed anthropometric and physical test assessments, including a countermovement jump (CMJ), agility T test, 10 and 20 m sprints, and multistage fitness test (MSFT). When modeled against CA and YPHV, results identified time point phases with increased rates of stature (CA-7.5, YPHV-8.6 cm/y at 10.7-15.2 years or -3.2 to +0.8 YPHV) and body mass gain (CA-7.1, YPHV-7.5 kg/y at 11.9-16.1 years or -1.6 to +4.0 YPHV), followed by gain reductions. Increased rates of sprint performance development (31%-43% gains) occurred at 11.8-15.8 CA or -1.8 to +1.2 YPHV, with gains subsiding thereafter. CMJ, T test, and MSFT gains appeared relatively linear with no change in developmental rate apparent. Developmental tempos did again, however, subside at circa (CMJ and T test) to post-PHV (MSFT). Based on our sample and analysis, periods of increased developmental rates (stature, mass, sprint) were apparent alongside progressive gains for other physical measures, before all subsided at particular age and maturation time points. Findings highlight dynamic asynchronous development of players, physical attributes, and the need to account for the influence of maturation on athletic performance until post-PHV.

Citation

Towlson, C., Cobley, S., Parkin, G., & Lovell, R. (2018). When does the influence of maturation on anthropometric and physical fitness characteristics increase and subside?. Scandinavian Journal of Medicine and Science in Sports, 28(8), 1946-1955. https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13198

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Apr 4, 2018
• Online Publication Date: Apr 18, 2018
• Publication Date: Aug 1, 2018
• Deposit Date: Aug 2, 2018
• Publicly Available Date: Apr 19, 2019
• Journal: Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
• Print ISSN: 0905-7188
• Electronic ISSN: 1600-0838
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 28
• Issue: 8
• Pages: 1946-1955
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1111/sms.13198
• Keywords: Anthropometric development; Maturation; Physical devlopment; Soccer
• Public URL: https://hull-repository.worktribe.com/output/907604
• Publisher URL: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/sms.13198