The relationship between relative age effect, biological maturation and physical performance in 12 and 13-year-old male soccer players

Abstract

Soccer clubs and coaches are trying to identify players at an early age who will potentially succeed in soccer. Early talent identification will help ensure that such players receive specialised coaching and training in order to accelerate their development. However, factors such as birth month, biological maturation and socioeconomic status can influence the development and physical performance of soccer players. The aim of the study is to determine the relationship between relative age effect, biological maturity, and physical performance in12 and 13-year-old male soccer players. A cross-sectional quantitative design was used in this study. A total of 176 amateur male soccer players aged 10-16 years were recruited from the South African Football Association (SAFA) to perform the assessments which included anthropometric measurements, counter movement jump, 10m sprint, 30m sprint, 505 agility and Yo-Yo Intermittent Recovery Test 1. Biological maturation status was calculated and classed as early, on-time and late. Data was analyzed for normal distribution using the Kolmogorov–Smirnov test. Descriptive statistics (mean and standard deviation) were generated. One-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine whether there were statistically significant differences between birth quarters and physical performance, birth quarters and anthropometric characteristics, biological maturation and physical performance and, finally, between biological maturation and anthropometric characteristics. The Chi-squared was used to determine the association between birth quarters and biological maturation, and biological maturation and physical performance. Eta-squared values were conducted to assess the relationship between birth quarters and physical performance. A p value below 0.05 indicated statistical significance.