Salter, Jamie ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7375-1476, Dawson, Zoe ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9181-0572, Rhymer, Jacob, Walsh, Luke, Mundy, Peter, Gledhill, Adam and Forsdyke, Dale ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4283-4356 (2026) Maturity-related adaptations in athletic profile and performance: Considerations for training prescription in adolescent females. Journal of Strength and Conditioning Research.

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Abstract

This study investigated the influence of biological maturity on the athletic profile and physical performance of adolescent females to provide much-needed data-driven considerations for training prescription. A cross-sectional design assessed 116 female athletes (age: 13.5 ± 2.8 years; stature: 155.9 ± 14.0 cm; body mass: 50.1 ± 16.0 kg; PAH%: 93.4 ± 6.9%) categorised by maturity offset into pre-, circa-, and post-peak height velocity (PHV) groups. Participants completed a testing battery comprising an isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) with absolute (i.e., Peak Force [PF]) and time-locked (i.e., Force at 50 [Force50], 100 [Force100] and 200 [Force200] ms) variables, and maximal aerobic speed (MAS) and maximal sprinting speed (MSS) to obtain athletic profiles based on Anaerobic Speed Reserve (ASR). Results indicated significant increases across maturity groups for PF and all time-locked variables (p < 0.05), with large effect sizes observed between pre- and post-PHV groups. While MSS significantly improved following PHV (p < 0.001, d = 1.59), no significant differences were observed for MAS across the maturity spectrum (p > 0.05). The study concludes that biological maturity stimulates significant gains in absolute and reactive strength and sprinting speed in adolescent females, yet qualities such as aerobic capacity remain stagnant, leading to an increased ASR across maturation. These findings suggest that athletes transition from aerobic towards anaerobic dominance, which may have implications for performance, recovery and injury risk if sufficient profile-specific training adaptations are not implemented.

Item Type:	Article
Status:	Published
Subjects:	Q Science > QP Physiology R Medicine > RJ Pediatrics R Medicine > RM Therapeutics. Pharmacology > RM695 Physical therapy. Occupational therapy
School/Department:	School of Science, Technology and Health
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/14098

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