Youth have high levels of participation in sport around the world, in particular, New Zealand. In the everchanging world of sport, many sports clubs and academies around the world are placing an emphasis on selecting athletes with expected long-term high potential at ages as young as nine. With the significant variation in growth amongst youth it is thought that this may influence team selection based upon temporary maturity-related advantages in physical capabilities. Additionally, the peak adolescent growth period has been linked to an increase in injury risk. For both reasons maturity timing and status needs to be considered in the selection process for youth sport teams.

A cross-sectional study was conducted, examining biological maturity and injury history of youth boys in a secondary school academy sports programme. Anthropometric measurements (standing height, seated height, and weight) were evaluated across 98 male students. The estimated percent of predicted adult height (%PAH) was obtained from these measurements using the Khamis-Roche method and this was used to estimate maturity status (pre, circa or post-peak height velocity [PHV]). The %PAH was also expressed as a z-score relative to published reference data to determine if participants were early, on-time or late maturing. Participants also took part in a face-to-face paper based questionnaire that recorded injury history over the prior 3 months. Over 90% of participants were either circa- or post-PHV. Early maturers accounted for 65.3% (n = 64) of participants across all sports while late maturers only represented 1% indicating a clear bias (observed frequency significantly different to expected frequency; chi-square = 15.6; p<0.001). The injury history questionnaire identified that 60% (n = 52) of participants had experienced an injury but there was no clear association with maturity status (OR = 0.84 to 1.56; p>0.05). Improved understanding and awareness of the potential for maturity to influence selection in secondary school academy sport is needed.

Recommendations based on these findings include educating coaches, parents, and players about biological maturity and how this can impact the selection, performance, and training of youth athletes. This will raise awareness of potential selection biases and awareness as to why youth athletes may go through stages of increases or decreases in ability and competency as they mature. The implementation of maturity estimation methods and monitoring where possible should be considered. Using the maturity estimations to enhance the structure and load of training programmes and to allow bio-banded training and playing opportunities may be beneficial.