The use of somatic maturation in morphofunctional identification in young football players
Abstract
Methods. The 45 subjects were divided into three groups according to somatic maturation and were submitted to anthropometric assessment and to a battery of tests that assessed flexibility (Wells' bench), aerobic power (Yoyo endurance test level 1) and anaerobic power (horizontal and vertical jumps).
Results. The results of ANOVA indicate that performance in vertical jump with counter movement (F = 5.10, p = 0.01), standing long jump (F = 7.19, p = 0.002) and flexibility (F = 6.83, p = 0.02) are influenced by the level of maturation status. On the other hand, the performance in the aerobic power test was not affected by maturity status. The somatotype and the reciprocal of ponderal index variables remained steady regardless the degree of maturity; differences were only observed in body mass index values (BMI).
Conclusion. Thus, we can conclude that the determination of maturational stages by means of years from PHV can be a valuable tool in order to aid coaches and trainers planning and monitoring training related to the actual functional condition of young athletes.
