The effect of bio-banding on technical and tactical indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players

Towlson, C. et al. (2022) The effect of bio-banding on technical and tactical indicators of talent identification in academy soccer players. Science and Medicine in Football, 6(3), pp. 295-308. (doi: 10.1080/24733938.2021.2013522) (PMID:35862161)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to examine the effect of bio-banding on technical and tactical markers of talent identification in 11- to 14-year-old academy soccer players. Using a repeated measures design, 92 players were bio-banded using percentage of estimated adult stature attainment (week 1), maturity-offset (week 2) and a mixed-maturity method (week 3). All players contested five maturity (mis)matched small-sided games with technical and tactical variables measured. Data were analysed using a series of Bayesian hierarchical models, fitted with different response distributions and different random and fixed effect structures. Despite differences during maturity-matched bio-banding for post-peak height velocity players, very few tactical differences were evident during the remaining maturity-matched and mis-matched fixtures for both banding methods. In fact, the results showed no consistent differences across both banding methods for practitioner and video analysis-derived technical performance characteristics during maturity matched and mis-matched fixtures. Both bio-banding methods explained similar levels of variance across the measured variables. Maturity-matched bio-banding had some effect on both technical and tactical characteristics of players during maturity-matched bio-banded formats. That said, this trend remained during maturity mis-matched bio-banded formats which restricts the conclusions that can be made regarding the effectiveness of bio-banding to manipulate technical and tactical measures in academy soccer players.

• Item Type: Articles
• Status: Published
• Refereed: Yes
• Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID: MacFarlane, Professor Niall
• Authors: Towlson, C., MacMaster, C., Goncalves, B., Sampio, J., Toner, J., MacFarlane, N., Barrett, S., Hamilton, A., Stringer, A., Myers, T., and Abt, G.
• Subjects: Q Science > QP Physiology
• College/School: College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
• Journal Name: Science and Medicine in Football
• Publisher: Taylor and Francis
• ISSN: 2473-3938
• ISSN (Online): 2473-4446
• Published Online: 06 December 2021
• Copyright Holders: Copyright © 2021 Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor and Francis Group
• First Published: First published in Science and Medicine in Football 6(3): 295-308
• Publisher Policy: Reproduced in accordance with the publisher copyright policy