Coaches’ eye as a valid method to assess biological maturation in youth elite soccer

Romann, Michael; Javet, Marie; Fuchslocher, Jörg (2017). Coaches’ eye as a valid method to assess biological maturation in youth elite soccer Journal of Talent Development and Excellence, 9(1), pp. 3-13. International Research Association for Talent & Excellence

Text Romann_2017_Coaches’ eye as a valid method to assess biological maturation in youth elite soccer.pdf - Published Version Restricted to registered users only Available under License Publisher holds Copyright. Download (3MB) | Request a copy

Consideration of maturity is recommended in the talent identification and development process. Skeletal age (SA), prediction of age of peak height velocity (APHV) and an estimation of biological maturation by coaches’ eye of 121 soccer players were compared. The SA of soccer players was 13.9 ± 1.1 years, and did not differ significantly from chronological age (CA). Agreement between the SA-CA classifications and APHV was 65.5%. Spearman rank-order correlation (rs) between maturity classifications was moderate, kappa (k) was 0.25. Agreement between SA-CA classifications and coaches’ eye was 73.9%. The rs between maturity classifications was strong, k was 0.48, which was better than the widely used APHV assessment. Therefore, estimations of experienced coaches seem to be an acceptable alternative method for classifying maturity in youth athletes.

Item Type:	Journal Article (Original Article)
Division/Institute:	Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen SFISM > EHSM - Leistungssport > Trainingswissenschaft
Name:	Romann, Michael0000-0003-4139-2955; Javet, Marie and Fuchslocher, Jörg
ISSN:	1869-0459 (Print) 1869-2885 (Online)
Publisher:	International Research Association for Talent & Excellence
Language:	English
Submitter:	Service Account
Date Deposited:	15 Feb 2021 12:50
Last Modified:	29 Mar 2023 07:57
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Skeletal age Age at peak height velocity Relative age effect Coach estimation Maturation Young athletes
ARBOR DOI:	10.24451/arbor.10957
URI:	https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/10957