Associations between biological maturity level, match locomotion, and physical capacities in youth male soccer players.

INTRODUCTION: Biological maturity level has shown to affect sport performance in youths. However, most previous studies have used noninvasive methods to estimate maturity level. Thus, the main aim of the present study was to investigate the association between skeletal age (SA) as a measure of biological maturation level, match locomotion, and physical capacity in male youth soccer players. METHOD: Thirty-eight Norwegian players were followed during two consecutive seasons (U14 and U15). Match locomotion was assessed with GPS-tracking in matches. SA, assessed by x-ray, physical capacities (speed, strength and endurance) and anthropometrics were measured in the middle of each season. Analysis of associations between SA, match locomotion, and physical capacities were adjusted for the potential confounding effect of body height and weight. RESULTS: In matches, positive associations were found between SA and maximal speed and running distance in the highest speed zones. Further, SA was associated with 40 m sprint time and countermovement jump (CMJ) height, and with intermittent-endurance capacity after adjusting for body height (U14). Associations between SA and leg strength and power, and between SA and absolute VO2max were not significant after adjusting for body weight. There was no association between SA and total distance covered in matches. CONCLUSION: Biological maturity level influence match locomotion and performance on physical capacity tests. It is important that players, parents and coaches are aware of the advantages more mature players have during puberty, and that less mature players also are given attention, appropriate training and match competition to ensure proper development.

Research on simulation in radiography education: a scoping review protocol.

BACKGROUND: Today, there are fewer opportunities for health care students and staff for skills training through direct patient contact. The World Health Organization therefore recommends learning about patient safety through hands-on experience and simulation. Simulation has the potential to improve skills through training in a controlled environment, and simulation has a positive effect on knowledge and skills, and even patient-related outcomes. Reviews addressing the use of simulation across the different radiography specialties are lacking. Further knowledge on simulation in radiography education is needed to inform curriculum design and future research. The purpose of this scoping review is to explore, map, and summarize the extent, range, and nature of published research on simulation in radiography education. METHODS: We will follow the methodological framework for scoping reviews originally described by Arksey and O'Malley. We will search the MEDLINE, Embase, Epistemonikos, The Cochrane Library, ERIC, Scopus, and sources of grey literature. A comprehensive search strategy for Ovid MEDLINE was developed in collaboration with a research librarian. An example of a full electronic search from the Ovid MEDLINE (1641 articles records, January 9, 2020) is provided and will be used to adapt the search strategy to each database. Two independent review authors will screen all abstracts and titles, and full-text publications during a second stage. Next, they will extract data from each included study using a data extraction form informed by the aim of the study. A narrative account of all studies included will be presented. We will present a simple numerical analysis related to the extent, nature, and distribution of studies, and we will use content analysis to map the different simulation interventions and learning design elements reported. Any type of simulation intervention within all types of radiography specializations will be included. Our search strategy is not limited by language or date of publication. DISCUSSION: An overview of publications on simulation in radiography education across all radiography specialties will help to inform future research and will be useful for stakeholders within radiography education using simulation, both in the academic and clinical settings. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: Open Science Framework (OSF). Submitted on October 18, 2020.

Physical capacity, not skeletal maturity, distinguishes competitive levels in male Norwegian U14 soccer players.

The main aim of the present study was to compare skeletal maturity level and physical capacities between male Norwegian soccer players playing at elite, sub-elite and non-elite level. Secondary, we aimed to investigate the association between skeletal maturity level and physical capacities. One hundred and two U14 soccer players (12.8-14.5 years old) recruited from four local clubs, and a regional team were tested for bone age and physical capacities. Bone age was estimated with x-ray of their left hand and used to indicate maturation of the skeleton. Players went through a comprehensive test battery to assess their physical capacities. Between-groups analysis revealed no difference in chronological age, skeletal maturity level, leg strength, body weight, or stature. However, elite players were superior to sub-elite and non-elite players on important functional characteristics as intermittent-endurance capacity (running distance: 1664 m ± 367 vs 1197 m ± 338 vs 693 m ± 235) and running speed (fastest 10 m split time: 1.27 seconds ± 0.06 vs 1.33 seconds ± 0.10 vs 1.39 seconds ± 0.11), in addition to maximal oxygen uptake ( V ˙ O 2 m a x ), standing long jump, and upper body strength (P < .05 for all comparisons). Medium-to-large correlations were found between skeletal maturity level and peak force (r = 695, P < .01), power (r = 684, P < .01), sprint (r = -.471, P<.001), and jump performance (r = .359, P < .01), but no correlation with upper body strength, V ˙ O 2 m a x , or intermittent-endurance capacity. These findings imply that skeletal maturity level does not bias the selection of players, although well-developed physical capacity clearly distinguishes competitive levels. The superior physical performance of the highest-ranked players seems related to an appropriate training environment.