The relative age effect and the relationship between biological maturity and athletic performance in Austrian elite youth soccer players
PurposePublications from recent years suggest that the biological developmental stage of underage athletes has a significant impact on their athletic performance. This scientific study is the first quantitative attempt in Austria to investigate the impact of the relative age effect and biological ma...
Saved in:
| Main Authors: | , |
|---|---|
| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-04-01
|
| Series: | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1583880/full |
| Tags: |
Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
|
| _version_ | 1850197524536623104 |
|---|---|
| author | Mirko Wenger Mirko Wenger Robert Csapo |
| author_facet | Mirko Wenger Mirko Wenger Robert Csapo |
| author_sort | Mirko Wenger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | PurposePublications from recent years suggest that the biological developmental stage of underage athletes has a significant impact on their athletic performance. This scientific study is the first quantitative attempt in Austria to investigate the impact of the relative age effect and biological maturity on the physical performance of young elite soccer players.MethodsBirth data from a total of 98 male players in the U13 to U18 age groups of a first-division Austrian soccer club were collected. By measuring height, sitting height and body mass, the individual biological age was calculated using the Mirwald equation. The athletes underwent a standardized battery of tests, which included assessments of speed, strength and endurance.ResultsThe results indicate a significant effect of the relative age effect on player selection in the U14 and U15 teams (p < .05), which diminishes with increasing player age. Compared to typical Austrian adolescents of similar age, U13, U14 and U15 players demonstrate a higher level of biological maturity (p < .05). Correlational analyses revealed that the maturity offset, reflecting the time before or after the greatest individual growth spurt, was positively related to eccentric hamstring strength (r = 0.82) and vertical jumping ability (r = 0.61) and positively related to sprint performance over 5, 10 and 20 m (0.62 < r < 0.69; all p ≤ .001).ConclusionBiological maturity and the associated anthropometric adaptations are decisive for athletic performance. The study supports the notion that biologically more mature players achieve better athletic performance than less mature players, especially before the onset of puberty. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-af5773f03c4e4aa6b87ebb919e05d6c2 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 2624-9367 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Sports and Active Living |
| spelling | doaj-art-af5773f03c4e4aa6b87ebb919e05d6c22025-08-20T02:13:07ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Sports and Active Living2624-93672025-04-01710.3389/fspor.2025.15838801583880The relative age effect and the relationship between biological maturity and athletic performance in Austrian elite youth soccer playersMirko Wenger0Mirko Wenger1Robert Csapo2Department of Sport and Human Movement Science, Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, University of Vienna, Vienna, AustriaSportklub Rapid, Vienna, AustriaDepartment of Sport and Human Movement Science, Centre for Sport Science and University Sports, University of Vienna, Vienna, AustriaPurposePublications from recent years suggest that the biological developmental stage of underage athletes has a significant impact on their athletic performance. This scientific study is the first quantitative attempt in Austria to investigate the impact of the relative age effect and biological maturity on the physical performance of young elite soccer players.MethodsBirth data from a total of 98 male players in the U13 to U18 age groups of a first-division Austrian soccer club were collected. By measuring height, sitting height and body mass, the individual biological age was calculated using the Mirwald equation. The athletes underwent a standardized battery of tests, which included assessments of speed, strength and endurance.ResultsThe results indicate a significant effect of the relative age effect on player selection in the U14 and U15 teams (p < .05), which diminishes with increasing player age. Compared to typical Austrian adolescents of similar age, U13, U14 and U15 players demonstrate a higher level of biological maturity (p < .05). Correlational analyses revealed that the maturity offset, reflecting the time before or after the greatest individual growth spurt, was positively related to eccentric hamstring strength (r = 0.82) and vertical jumping ability (r = 0.61) and positively related to sprint performance over 5, 10 and 20 m (0.62 < r < 0.69; all p ≤ .001).ConclusionBiological maturity and the associated anthropometric adaptations are decisive for athletic performance. The study supports the notion that biologically more mature players achieve better athletic performance than less mature players, especially before the onset of puberty.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1583880/fullEuropean footballyouth athletesbiological agetalent identificationphysical fitnessmaturation |
| spellingShingle | Mirko Wenger Mirko Wenger Robert Csapo The relative age effect and the relationship between biological maturity and athletic performance in Austrian elite youth soccer players Frontiers in Sports and Active Living European football youth athletes biological age talent identification physical fitness maturation |
| title | The relative age effect and the relationship between biological maturity and athletic performance in Austrian elite youth soccer players |
| title_full | The relative age effect and the relationship between biological maturity and athletic performance in Austrian elite youth soccer players |
| title_fullStr | The relative age effect and the relationship between biological maturity and athletic performance in Austrian elite youth soccer players |
| title_full_unstemmed | The relative age effect and the relationship between biological maturity and athletic performance in Austrian elite youth soccer players |
| title_short | The relative age effect and the relationship between biological maturity and athletic performance in Austrian elite youth soccer players |
| title_sort | relative age effect and the relationship between biological maturity and athletic performance in austrian elite youth soccer players |
| topic | European football youth athletes biological age talent identification physical fitness maturation |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fspor.2025.1583880/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT mirkowenger therelativeageeffectandtherelationshipbetweenbiologicalmaturityandathleticperformanceinaustrianeliteyouthsoccerplayers AT mirkowenger therelativeageeffectandtherelationshipbetweenbiologicalmaturityandathleticperformanceinaustrianeliteyouthsoccerplayers AT robertcsapo therelativeageeffectandtherelationshipbetweenbiologicalmaturityandathleticperformanceinaustrianeliteyouthsoccerplayers AT mirkowenger relativeageeffectandtherelationshipbetweenbiologicalmaturityandathleticperformanceinaustrianeliteyouthsoccerplayers AT mirkowenger relativeageeffectandtherelationshipbetweenbiologicalmaturityandathleticperformanceinaustrianeliteyouthsoccerplayers AT robertcsapo relativeageeffectandtherelationshipbetweenbiologicalmaturityandathleticperformanceinaustrianeliteyouthsoccerplayers |