Salter, Jamie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7375-1476, Forsdyke, Dale ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4283-4356, Arenas, L., Dawson, Zoe ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9181-0572, King, M., Myhill, N., Robinson, J., Towlson, C., Springham, M., Walsh, Luke, Mallinson-Howard, Sarah ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8525-1540 and Barrett, S. (2025) Differences in physical and technical performance characteristics between 11 v 11 chronological and bio-banded soccer match-play. Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. (In Press)

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Abstract

Objectives

Bio-banding groups athletes by maturity rather than chronological age, to promote more equitable competition and development opportunities. We investigated whether physical and technical performance differed between chronological and bio-banded 11v11 match-play formats in youth soccer. A secondary aim was to examine whether these differences varied by maturity status and timing.

Design

Twelve Junior Premier League teams (N = 139 players) from the U13, U14, and U15 age groups participated. Each team played six, 20-minute matches: three in chronological age and three in bio-banded formats. Bio-banding was based on the percentage of predicted adult height: pre-peak height velocity (< 90 %), mid-peak height velocity (90–96 %) and post-peak height velocity (> 96 %).

Methods

Players wore foot-mounted inertial measurement units to record physical (distance covered, high-speed running > 4 m/s, sprinting > 5.5 m/s, and accelerations/decelerations ± 2.6 m/s/s) and technical (total touches, possessions, time on ball and one-touch/short/long possession counts) performance characteristics. Data were analysed using t-tests and analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. Significance was set at p < 0.05, and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated. A multivariate analysis was also conducted.

Results

Whole sample analysis showed significantly more time on the ball per possession (d = 0.17), and fewer one-touch actions (d = 0.25) in bio-banded matches. Post-peak height velocity players covered significantly more high-intensity distance (d = 0.63) but recorded fewer total touches (d = 0.60), total possessions (d = 0.65) and one-touch possessions (d = 0.71) in the bio-banded format. There were significant differences between pre- and mid-peak height velocity players for all physical metrics across both chronological and bio-banded matches (d = 0.48–72), and between maturity groups (pre-post-peak height velocity, mid-post-peak height velocity) for technical actions in chronological format but not mirrored in bio-banding matches.

Conclusions

Bio-banding was associated with altered physical and technical demands, especially for post-peak height velocity players. Findings suggest bio-banding may provide an appropriate competition format, exposing players to different developmental challenges, which may support more equitable and balanced experiences.

Keywords

Bio-bandingGrowthMaturationPhysical demandsTechnical demands

Item Type:	Article
Status:	In Press
DOI:	doi10.1016/j.jsams.2025.09.006
Subjects:	Q Science > QP Physiology R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics
School/Department:	School of Science, Technology and Health
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/13015

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