In-game physical performance and maturity status in youth futsal: Implications for national team development program selection process

This study investigated in-game physical performance profiles among under-15 male futsal players and examined their association with biological maturation and national team selection. A total of 192 players from the Portuguese National U15 Regional Teams Championship were categorized into three maturity groups based on predicted adult height: pre-PHV (n*=*19), at-PHV (n*=*30), and post-PHV (n*=*143). Teams were ranked into three competitive levels (top, middle, bottom), and players were classified into three performance profiles: low, medium, and high. At-PHV players most frequently exhibited high-performance profiles, indicating favorable physical attributes for high-intensity futsal actions. A significant relationship was found between maturity status and team ranking, with post-PHV players overrepresented in top teams, and no pre-PHV players present at that level. National team selections showed similar trends, with no pre-PHV and only four at-PHV players chosen. Notably, only two players from both the at-PHV and post-PHV groups ranked in the top 10 across all physical performance measures. These findings underscore a maturity-related bias favoring more physically mature players. The study advocates for a more holistic talent identification approach that integrates technical, tactical, and psychological attributes to ensure equitable development opportunities across all maturity levels.
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Bibliographic Details
Subjects:
Notations:sport games junior sports
Published in:International Journal of Performance Analysis in Sport
Language:English
Published: 2025
Volume:26
Issue:3
Pages:525-540
Document types:article
Level:advanced