003 Survival analysis of lower-limb apophyseal injuries in youth elite soccer in association with growth and skeletal maturation

Multidirectional Speed in Youth Soccer Players: Theoretical Underpinnings

“…Because of the large individual variation in the timing and tempo in the process of maturation, the physical and neurodevelopmental differences between individuals, such as immature structures and underdeveloped neuromuscular control, and disparities in maturation status between age-matched individuals have been identified as mechanisms that may affect the risk of injury (132,160). Insights from research have also suggested that episodes of rapid growth and the period around peak height velocity are associated with increased injury risk in elite sports (79,96,103,127,194).…”

Multidirectional Speed in Youth Soccer Players: Programming Considerations and Practical Applications

“…What must be acknowledged, however, are the inherent concerns that coincide with the adolescent growth spurt in youth athletes. Young individuals are particularly susceptible to growth-related injuries around the ages of peak height velocity (PHV) (19,139), or when growth rates are high (65,71,89,139), which will have important implications for the implementation of MDS training. The rapid gains seen during the adolescent growth spurt can result in neuromuscular control deficits (112), to which it has been suggested that previously attained movement patterns may need to be relearned or modified (114).…”

“…Conversely, circa-PHV players, or individuals with heightened growth rates, may require a reduction in training volume (e.g., 1,950 AUs) to control for pain and reduce the risk of sustaining an overuse injury (65,71,89,97,139) (Table 3). Notably, this reduction in TL should come through a reduction in session duration, and not forsake exercise intensity, where appropriate, to allow for highquality MDS training to still be performed.…”