Research summary · Youth development
Interpreting youth athletics results alongside maturation
Five seasons of competition and physical-test data from 75 male youth athletes were analysed using models that considered both chronological age and estimated maturity status.
- Publication year
- 2026
- First published online
- Publication type
- Retrospective observational modelling study
- Journal
- European Journal of Sport Science
- Population / context
- Male youth track and field
What the publication reports
Outcome-specific statistical adjustments greatly reduced maturity-related associations with 60-metre sprint and long-jump results in this sample. Estimates adjusted to the sample's maximum values showed better agreement for sprinting than for long jump, underscoring the need to report prediction error.
Limits and interpretation
These are model-derived estimates, not observed improvements or validated predictions of adult talent. Results depend on maturity estimation and the population used to build the models; external validation and evidence in female athletes are needed before broader selection use.
Read the source
Consult the original record for the full author list, methods, references, funding and competing-interest disclosures.
Enhancing the Interpretation of Competition Performance and Physical Characteristics in Male Youth Track and Field Athletes
Original publication / indexed recordPMID: 42817050DOI: 10.1002/ejsc.70259Full text at the sourceReader discussion
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