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Int J Sports Med 2023; 44(10): 711-719
DOI: 10.1055/a-1686-4563
Training & Testing

Body Size, Fatness and Skeletal Age in Female Youth Soccer Players

Diogo V. Martinho 
1   University of Coimbra, FCDEF, Coimbra, Portugal
2   CIDAF (uid/dtp/04213/2020), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
,
Manuel J. Coelho-e-Silva 
1   University of Coimbra, FCDEF, Coimbra, Portugal
2   CIDAF (uid/dtp/04213/2020), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
,
João Gonçalves Santos 
3   IPDJ/FCDEF.UC/2017-01, Portuguese Republic Ministry of Education, Lisboa, Portugal
,
Tomas G. Oliveira 
4   FMH, University of Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
,
Cláudia S. Minderico
5   Exercise and Health Laboratory, University of Lisbon Faculty of Human Kinetics, Lisboa, Portugal
,
Andre Seabra 
6   Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
7   CIAFEL, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal
8   Portugal Football School, Portuguese Football Federation, Oeiras, Portugal
,
Joao Valente-dos-Santos 
2   CIDAF (uid/dtp/04213/2020), University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
9   Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Lusofona University, Lisboa, Portugal
,
Lauren B. Sherar 
10   School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University, Loughborough, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland
,
Robert M. Malina
11   Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, United States
12   School of Public Health and Information Sciences, University of Louisville, Louisville, United States
› Author Affiliations Funding Diogo V. Martinho is granted by Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (SFRH/BD/121441/2016). Diogo V. Martinho (10 %), João Valente-dos-Santos (10 %) and Manuel J. Coelho-e-Silva (50 %) are members of CIDAF (uid/dtp/04213/2020). CIDAF is a research unit supported by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology. The University of Coimbra and the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth signed a research agreement for the purpose of this study [IPDJ/FCDEF.UC/2017-01]. Andre Seabra is member ot the Research Center in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure (CIAFEL) funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (uid/dtp/00617/2020). Funding Details No sources of funding were used to assist in the preparation of this study.
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Abstract

Growth and maturation are central concerns in the organization of training and competitions in youth sports. This study examined maturity-associated variation in body size and adiposity among adolescent girls participating in competitive age group youth soccer. The sample included 441 players 10.08-16.73 years of age. Stature and body mass were measured and body composition was predicted. The Fels method was used to estimate skeletal age. Skeletally maturity status (late, average or early maturing) was based on the difference between chronological and skeletal age for each player. Mean stature approximated the 50th percentiles of the general population in all competitive age groups, while mean weight fluctuated between 50th and 75th percentiles. Age- and maturity-specific means for estimated fat mass ranged between 18.0% and 28.2%. The number of players classified as skeletally mature increased with competitive age groups (under-13: 0%; under-15: 8%; under-17: 49%). In general, early maturing girls tended to be heavier than their age group peers and especially when compared to late maturing players.

Key Words

Growth status - biological maturation - youth sports - female athlete - puberty


Publication History

Received: 28 October 2021

Accepted: 22 March 2021

Accepted Manuscript online:
03 November 2021

Article published online:
11 August 2022

© 2022. Thieme. All rights reserved.

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