Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport: A Scoping Review

Rüeger, Eva; Hutmacher, Nicole; Eichelberger, Patric; Löcherbach, Claus; Albrecht, Silvia; Romann, Michael (2022). Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport: A Scoping Review Children, 9(12), p. 1985. 10.3390/children9121985

[img]
Preview
Text
Rüeger_2022Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport.pdf - Published Version
Available under License Creative Commons: Attribution (CC-BY).

Download (534kB) | Preview

Bone maturity is an indicator for estimating the biological maturity of an individual. During adolescence, individuals show heterogeneous growth rates, and thus, differences in biological maturity should be considered in talent identification and development. Radiography of the left hand and wrist is considered the gold standard of biological maturity estimation. The use of ultrasound imaging (US) may be advantageous; however, its validity and reliability are under discussion. The aims of this scoping review are (1) to summarize the different methods for estimating biological maturity by US imaging in adolescents, (2) to obtain an overview of the level of validity and reliability of the methods, and (3) to point out the practicability and usefulness of ultrasound imaging in the field of youth sports. The search included articles published up to November 2022. The inclusion criteria stipulated that participants had to fall within the age range of 8 to 23 years and be free of bone disease and fractures in the region of interest. Nine body regions were investigated, while the hand and wrist were most commonly analyzed. US assessment methods were usually based on the estimation of a bone maturity stage, rather than a decimal bone age. Furthermore, 70% of the assessments were evaluated as applicable, 10% expressed restraint about implementation, and 20% were evaluated as not applicable. When tested, inter- and intra-rater reliability was high to excellent. Despite the absence of ionization, low costs, fast assessment, and accessibility, none of the US assessments could be referred to as a gold standard. If further development succeeds, its application has the potential to incorporate biological age into selection processes. This would allow for more equal opportunities in talent selection and thus make talent development fairer and more efficient.

Item Type:

Journal Article (Original Article)

Division/Institute:

Swiss Federal Institute of Sports Magglingen SFISM > EHSM - Leistungssport > Trainingswissenschaft

Name:

Rüeger, Eva;
Hutmacher, Nicole;
Eichelberger, Patric0000-0003-2223-6113;
Löcherbach, Claus;
Albrecht, Silvia and
Romann, Michael0000-0003-4139-2955

ISSN:

2227-9067

Language:

English

Submitter:

Sabina Wolfensberger

Date Deposited:

11 Jul 2023 10:49

Last Modified:

11 Jul 2023 10:49

Publisher DOI:

10.3390/children9121985

Related URLs:

PubMed ID:

36553428

Uncontrolled Keywords:

Talent development Biological maturity Bone age Ultrasonography Youth sport Trainingswissenschaft

ARBOR DOI:

10.24451/arbor.19336

URI:

https://arbor.bfh.ch/id/eprint/19336

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item
Provide Feedback