Differences in physical and technical performance characteristics between 11v11 chronological and bio-banded soccer match-play format in male youth soccer

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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.

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