Author(s): GALANTINE, P.1,2, MASO, F.3, LEROY, P.4, PISCIONE, J.4, ANTHONY, S.1,2, DAMBEL, L.1,2, HAYS, A.2,5, BERTIN, D.2,5, PEYROT, N.6, DUCHÉ, P.1,2, Institution: TOULON UNIVERSITY, Country: FRANCE, Abstract-ID: 1593

INTRODUCTION:
Adolescent sprint performance is shaped by rapid inter-individual differences in growth and maturation, which can bias potential estimation in team sports [1]. This study investigated the joint influence of chronological age, maturity status (MO) [2], maturation tempo, relative age effect (RAE) and sport-specific training on sprint performance (sprint time and force-velocity-power (F-v-P)) in 11-16-year-old athletes.
METHODS:
355 young male athletes (football, handball, rugby) performed two maximal 30-m running sprints. Split times (t10m, t30m) and F-v-P variables were computed. A principal component analysis followed by hierarchical clustering on principal components identified sprint-performance profiles. Associations between clusters and qualitative factors (tempo, RAE quartiles, sport) were tested.
RESULTS:
Three clusters were identified: a lower-performing cluster (n = 152) characterised by slower sprint times and lower maximal power output (Pmax); an intermediate cluster (n = 76) with higher force-oriented characteristics; and a higher-performing cluster (n = 127) combining the fastest sprint times and highest Pmax. All sprint performance variables differed between clusters (p < 0.001; η²=0.26-0.69), with chronological age and maturity status differing significantly across clusters (p < 0.001). Maturation tempo and RAE showed no overall association with clusters, except for a higher proportion of Q1 (early-born) athletes in Cluster 3. Sport-specific training was strongly associated with cluster membership (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSION:
Sprint performance profiles in 11-16-year-old team-sport athletes are mainly structured by maturity status and chronological age, with more mature and chronologically older players consistently displaying superior sprint performance. In contrast, maturation tempo and RAE showed limited influence on profile distribution. Sport-specific training was strongly associated with sprint profiles, indicating that discipline-specific demands and selection processes further shape sprint characteristics beyond growth and maturation. Overall, these findings emphasise the need for maturity-informed interpretation of sprint performance and suggest that, beyond maturity status, cumulative exposure to sport-specific training may contribute to the development of distinct sprint profiles in youth athletes [3] [4].
References
[1] Malina RM. Top 10 research questions related to growth and maturation of relevance to physical activity, performance, and fitness. Res Q Exerc Sport 2014;85:157–173.
[2] Mirwald RL, Baxter-Jones ADG, Bailey DA, Beunen GP. An assessment of maturity from anthropometric measurements. Med Sci Sports Exerc 2002;34:689–694.
[3] Sedeaud A, Capranica L, Thepaut-Mathieu C, et al. Talent identification: time to move forward on estimation of potential in sport. Sports Med Open 2025;11:19.
[4] Güllich A, Barth M. Effects of early talent promotion on junior and senior performance: systematic review and meta-analysis. Sports Med 2024;54:145–162.