Reducing the influence of biological maturity on talent selection and development in youth team sports – A systematic review of interventions

Abstract

This study aimed to systematically identify, summarise, and appraise research on strategies proposed to mitigate biological maturity bias in order to make the available literature more accessible to researchers and practitioners. Three databases (i.e., PubMed, SPORTDiscus, and Web of Science) were searched for articles exposing at least one group of team sport athletes to interventions aiming to reduce maturity bias. Studies had to include participants aged 10–16 y (Males) or 8–14 y (Females), and a measure of task performance or athlete selection. The twelve included articles highlight bio-banding and player labelling as strategies used to address maturity bias. Ten reported effects of bio-banding on performance, while one investigated the influence of bio-banding on coach selection preferences. However, further investigation is required to understand if these have a meaningful impact on reducing bias during selections. Player labelling was reported to reverse the selection bias in favour of later maturing youth soccer players, though may have observed individuals who hadn’t commenced their growth spurt. Although bio-banding and player labelling have been explored as strategies to reduce maturity bias in youth team sports, potential risks of bias identified in the literature underscore the need for further investigation before practical recommendations can be made.