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    Biological maturity but not relative age biases exist in female international youth soccer players relative to the general population


    Sweeney, Liam, Lundberg, Tommy, Sweeney, Cian, Hickey, Jack and MacNamara, Áine (2024) Biological maturity but not relative age biases exist in female international youth soccer players relative to the general population. Biology of Sport, 42 (2). pp. 249-256. ISSN 0860-021X

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    Abstract

    This study investigated the extent to which biological maturity and relative age biases existed and varied with chronological age in female international youth soccer players relative to the general population. A total of 113 players (52 under-15 (U15), 32 under-16 (U16) and 29 under-17 (U17)) selected by the Football Association of Ireland participated in this study. All players were assessed for height, body weight and relative age. Biological maturity status and timing were assessed in U15 and U16 players only. Relative to population norms, the results showed a significant but small bias in favour of more biologically mature players (P < 0.001, d = 0.39) that increased with age from U15 (P = 0.007, d = 0.36) to U16 (P = 0.009, d = 0.44). U16 players had achieved a significantly higher percentage of their predicted adult height than U15 players (T = 7.4, P < 0.001). However, there were no relative age biases at any age group nor across the total sample (P > 0.05). There was no significant difference in height, weight or relative age of the players between the three age groups and no significant difference between the U15 and U16 age groups in terms of predicted adult height or biological to chronological age offset. This study demonstrates that biological maturity but not relative age biases exist in female international youth football relative to the general population, with notable differences in pattern and magnitude compared to those previously observed in male international youth football.
    Item Type: Article
    Keywords: Talent Identification; Talent Development; Female Sport; Youth Soccer; Relative Age Effect;
    Academic Unit: Faculty of Science and Engineering > Sports Science and Nutrition
    Item ID: 19158
    Identification Number: 10.5114/biolsport.2025.144411
    Depositing User: Liam Sweeney
    Date Deposited: 06 Nov 2024 10:44
    Journal or Publication Title: Biology of Sport
    Publisher: Termedia Publishing
    Refereed: Yes
    Related URLs:
    URI: https://mural.maynoothuniversity.ie/id/eprint/19158
    Use Licence: This item is available under a Creative Commons Attribution Non Commercial Share Alike Licence (CC BY-NC-SA). Details of this licence are available here

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