Age and Maturity Effects on Morphological and Physical Performance Measures of Adolescent Judo Athletes

Studies assessing age and maturation effects on morphological and physical performance measures of young judokas are scarce. This study aimed to assess the independent and combined effects of chronological age and biological maturation on anthropometry and physical performance of 67 judokas aged 11-14. Participants’ anthropometric profiles were assessed, and physical performance tests were completed. Multivariate analyses of variance revealed an independent effect of age (anthropometry: F = 1.871; p < 0.05; Pillai’s trace = 0.545; η2p = 0.272; physical performance: F = 2.876; p < 0.01; Pillai’s trace = 0.509; η2p = 0.254) and maturity (anthropometry: F = 10.085; p < 0.01; Pillai’s trace = 0.669; η2p = 0.669; physical performance: F = 11.700; p < 0.01; Pillai’s trace = 0.581; η2p = 0.581). There was no significant combined effect of age and maturity. The maturation effect remained significant when controlled for age (anthropometry: F = 4.097; p < 0.01; Pillai’s trace = 0.481; η2p = 0.481; physical performance: F = 3.859; p < 0.01; Pillai’s trace = 0.0.318; η2p = 0.318). Inadolescent judokas, the maturation effect on growth and physical performance seems to be more relevant than the age effect, leading to the need to control this effect in training routines and competitive events. As in studies with youth soccer players and other youth athletes, bio-banding can be a strategy for controlling maturation in combat sports.

Giudicelli, B. B., Luz, L. G. D. O., Santos, D. H. B., Sarmento, H., Massart, A. G. M., Júnior, A. T. D. C. … Figueiredo, A. J. B. (2021). Age and Maturity Effects on Morphological and Physical Performance Measures of Adolescent Judo Athletes. Journal of Human Kinetics, 80, 139-151. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2021-0090

Giudicelli, B. B., Luz, L. G. D. O., Santos, D. H. B., Sarmento, H., Massart, A. G. M., Júnior, A. T. D. C., Field, A., and Figueiredo, A. J. B. (2021). Age and Maturity Effects on Morphological and Physical Performance Measures of Adolescent Judo Athletes. Journal of Human Kinetics, 80, pp.139-151. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2021-0090

Giudicelli, Bruno et al. “Age and Maturity Effects on Morphological and Physical Performance Measures of Adolescent Judo Athletes.” Journal of Human Kinetics, vol. 80, 2021, pp. 139-151. doi:10.2478/hukin-2021-0090.

Giudicelli BB, Luz LG D O, Santos DH B, Sarmento H, Massart AG M, Júnior AT D C et al. Age and Maturity Effects on Morphological and Physical Performance Measures of Adolescent Judo Athletes. Journal of Human Kinetics. 2021;80:139-151. https://doi.org/10.2478/hukin-2021-0090