Is Self-Administered Rating Scale for Pubertal Development a Predictor of Countermovement Jump in Young Soccer Players?

Considering that in Young sport competitions children are divided according to their chronological age, the aim of this study was to examine the correlation among chronological age and Self-Administered Rating Scale for Pubertal Development (PDS), anthropometry (Body Mass Index -BMI-, percent body fat -%BF-, fat free mass -FFM-), and Countermovement jump (CMJ) measures.

112 young soccer players (age: 14±2 yrs; height: 1.68±0.11 m; weight: 60.3±11.6 kg; BMI: 21.3±2.5 kg^.m^-2) grouped in “Giovanissimi” (12-14 yrs), “Allievi” (15-16 yrs), and “Juniores” (>17 yrs), categories were evaluated. Pearson correlations and stepwise multiple regression analysis among variables were calculated considering all subjects and within categories. The internal consistency of PDS was determined by Cronbach’s α coefficient (Cα). Considering all subjects, PDS showed an excellent Cα (0.89) and significant correlations with sub-category (r=0.66), age (r=0.67), %BF (r=-0.31), FFM (r=0.71), and CMJ (r=0.55). Within “Giovanissimi” category, significant correlations were found between PDS and age (r=0.56), CMJ (r=0.33), FFM (r=0.63), and sub-category (r=0.55). In “Allievi”, PDS showed correlations with CMJ (r=0.46), FFM (r=0.42), and %BF (r=-0.45). In “Juniores” no significant correlations between PDS and other variables were present. The regression model with sub-category, PDS, and %BF as predictors explained 41% of the variance of CMJ in all subjects. In the “Allievi” category the PSD was the only predictor explaining the 18% of the CMJ performance variance.

PDS can provide useful information for the coach to create individual conditioning programs taking into account the growth problems of young soccer players and to minimize the risk of an excessive workload.