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. 2019 Aug 14;7(8):193.
doi: 10.3390/sports7080193.

Effects of Bio-Banding upon Physical and Technical Performance during Soccer Competition: A Preliminary Analysis

Will Abbott  1   2 , Stuart Williams  3 , Gary Brickley  4 , Nicholas J Smeeton  4
Affiliations

Effects of Bio-Banding upon Physical and Technical Performance during Soccer Competition: A Preliminary Analysis

Will Abbott et al. Sports (Basel). .

Abstract

Bio-banded competition has been introduced to address the variation in physical maturity within soccer. To date, no research has investigated the effect of bio-banded competition relative to chronological competition. The current study investigated the effect of bio-banding upon physical and technical performance in elite youth soccer athletes. Twenty-five male soccer athletes (11-15 years) from an English Premier League soccer academy participated in bio-banded and chronological competition, with physical and technical performance data collected for each athlete. Athletes were between 85-90% of predicted adult stature, and sub-divided into early, on-time and late developers. For early developers, significantly more short passes, significantly less dribbles and a higher rating of perceived exertion (RPE) were evident during bio-banded competition compared to chronological competition (p < 0.05). Significantly more short passes and dribbles, and significantly fewer long passes were seen for on-time developers during bio-banded competition (p < 0.05). For late developers, significantly more tackles, and significantly fewer long passes were evident during bio-banded competition (p < 0.05). No significant differences in physical performance were identified between competition formats. Results demonstrated that bio-banded competition changed the technical demand placed upon athletes compared to chronological competition, without reducing the physical demands. Bio-banded competition can be prescribed to athletes of differing maturation groups dependent upon their specific developmental needs.

Keywords: bio-banded; chronological; match; maturation; physical development.

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Conflict of interest statement

This research did not receive any specific grant from funding agencies in the public, commercial, or not-for-profit sectors. No conflicts of interest are reported, and no financial benefit was received.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Mean number of short and long passes produced by early-, on-time-, and late-developing athletes during bio-banded and chronological competition formats. N.B. asterisk represents significant difference between competition formats (p < 0.05).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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