Binnington, Matthew Luc (2026) The Maturational Engine: Decoupling Biological Timing from Physical Performance in Adolescent Athletes - A Retrospective Analysis of Physical Development and Maturity Trends in Adolescent Athletes. Masters thesis, York St John University.

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Abstract

Background: Chronological age remains the primary method for grouping adolescent athletes despite substantial variation in somatic maturation. This may favour early-maturing athletes during talent identification, while sex-specific relationships between somatic maturity and physical performance remain poorly understood.

Aims: This study examined the relationships between somatic maturity, anthropometric characteristics, sex, and physical performance in adolescent athletes by (i) describing anthropometric and performance characteristics across maturity groups, (ii) investigating associations between maturity, body size, and performance, and (iii) quantifying the independent associations of somatic maturity with locomotor power and isometric strength after accounting for body size and repeated observations.

Methods: A retrospective longitudinal observational study analysed 821 observations from 413 adolescent athletes aged 9-21 years collected between 2021 and 2026. Somatic maturity was estimated using the percentage of predicted adult height (%PAH) derived from the Khamis-Roche method. Performance outcomes included countermovement jump (CMJ) height, 10 m, 20 m and 40 m sprint performance, and isometric mid-thigh pull (IMTP) force variables. Descriptive statistics and partial Spearman correlations were conducted, followed by linear mixed-effects models incorporating athlete ID as a random intercept to account for repeated observations.
Results: Body mass emerged as the strongest anthropometric predictor of both dynamic and isometric performance outcomes, whereas stature showed little independent contribution after adjustment for somatic maturity. Increasing %PAH was independently associated with greater CMJ performance and faster 20 m and 40 m sprint performance in males. In females, comparatively limited associations were observed, with significant associations identified only for 40 m sprint performance and IMTP net peak force. Greater isometric force production was not consistently associated with improved sprint or jump performance after adjustment for somatic maturity.

Conclusion: Somatic maturity was independently associated with physical performance during adolescence, although these relationships differed between males and females and across performance domains. These findings support maturity-informed approaches to athlete monitoring, talent identification, and long-term athlete development rather than relying solely on chronological age. Collectively, these findings reinforce the importance of interpreting adolescent physical performance within the context of somatic maturity rather than chronological age alone.

Item Type:	Thesis (Masters)
Status:	Published
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV0557 Sports
School/Department:	School of Science, Technology and Health
URI:	https://ray.yorksj.ac.uk/id/eprint/15506

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