Biological maturity but not relative age biases exist in female international youth soccer players relative to the general population - Dr Liam Sweeney
Dr Liam Sweeney from the Department of Sport Science and Nutrition led a research project in collaboration with the Football Association of Ireland, which was Sport Ireland Research Grant funded.
This project aimed to examine the biological maturity statuses of female international soccer players competing for Ireland’s youth international teams. The researchers sought to compare each player’s biological age to their chronological age, to ultimately identify whether players are typically advanced, delayed, or in-line biologically relative to their chronological age. Findings show that female players selected for these international teams are generally advanced in biological maturity for their chronological age, although to a small degree. From a physical perspective, earlier maturing girls are typically taller, heavier, and have greater absolute muscular strength, particularly in the lower body. These physical adaptations conferred by advanced biological maturity may provide one primary explanation as to why earlier maturing girls are preferentially selected in such contexts. The findings highlight the importance of monitoring biological maturity in youth athletes throughout development and show that the biological maturity of a given youth athlete can significantly influence their physical performance, and ultimately the opportunities that may be provided during their developmental pathway.
Led by Dr. Liam Sweeney, this study was recently published in Biology of Sport, one of the highest-ranking sports science journals, with department college Dr. Jack Hickey and co-authors Cian Sweeney from Nottingham Trent University in England, Dr. Tommy Lundberg from Karolinska Institute in Sweden, and Dr. Áine MacNamara from Dublin City University.