Growth and Maturation in Football Academies - Sean Cumming, Xabier Monasterio, Alberto Fílter | FSI Talks 15

The development of talent in football academies is a complex process influenced by various factors, including the growth and maturation of players. In this episode, our panelists explore the importance of understanding the biological maturity of young footballers and how it affects their performance and long-term development.

Alberto Fílter · @alberto.filter

February 12, 2025 |

8 minutos

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For this FSI Talk, we have the collaboration of two excellent experts in the field:

Dr. Sean Cumming: Dr. Sean Cumming is internationally recognized as a leading expert in growth and maturation in sports and exercise. He is a professor at the University of Bath.

Xabier Monasterio: Xabier has been a physiotherapist at Athletic Club since December 2022, where he is responsible for assessing and rehabilitating injuries related to player growth and maturation. He is also a professor at FSI Training and the University of the Basque Country.

Difference Between Chronological Age and Biological Maturity

One of the fundamental points of the discussion was the difference between chronological age and biological maturity. While chronological age refers to the time elapsed since birth, biological maturity measures an individual’s progress toward adulthood, which can vary significantly among players within the same category.

This variation has a direct impact on performance. For example, in a U-15 category, there may be players who are biologically equivalent to a 12-year-old child, while others have the maturity of a 17-year-old. This creates inequalities in competition and can affect the evaluation of a footballer’s true talent.

Assessment of Biological Maturity

To better understand and manage player growth, football academies are implementing biological maturity monitoring systems. There are different methods for this:

Height and weight evaluation: This is the most accessible metric and is used in most academies, including the Premier League.
Skeletal maturity assessment: Although more precise, it involves the use of X-rays and is costly and impractical for regular application.
Growth velocity tracking: Measured every three to four months to identify development patterns and prevent injuries.

Monitoring allows for training adaptation and injury prevention, which are essential for player development.

Impact of Growth on Performance and Injuries

Accelerated growth during adolescence also impacts performance and injury risk. Players may experience a phase of temporary lack of coordination, where their performance is affected because their body is rapidly changing. During this stage, it is common for coaches to notice a decline in players’ ability to execute movements they previously mastered.

According to studies conducted in football academies such as Southampton, players can experience a temporary drop in performance during peak growth. However, once growth stabilizes, their performance significantly improves.

Biobanding: A Solution for Fairer Assessment

One strategy implemented in some academies to address these differences is biobanding, which groups players according to their biological maturity rather than their chronological age. This approach prevents extreme physical disparities, where more physically developed players dominate the game simply due to greater strength and speed.

Biobanding also challenges early-developing players to rely less on their physical advantage and more on their technical and tactical skills. At the same time, it allows late-maturing players to develop in an environment where physicality is not a limiting factor.

Training Adaptation Based on Maturity

In elite football academies, such as Athletic Club and the Premier League, a more individualized approach has been implemented to adjust training according to the player’s growth stage. Some key strategies include:

Modifying training loads: Reducing workload during rapid growth periods to prevent muscle overload and injuries.
Strength and coordination training: Strengthening stabilizing muscles and improving balance to compensate for temporary coordination loss.
Early injury detection: Identifying early discomfort and adjusting training intensity accordingly.

Conclusion

Understanding and monitoring player growth and maturation in football academies is crucial to ensuring optimal development. Differences in biological maturity can create competitive inequalities and affect the perception of a player’s real talent. Strategies such as biobanding and training adaptation based on growth stages have proven effective in maximizing player potential and reducing injury risk.

In the future, continued research and application of these principles in elite football academies will lead to a more equitable and efficient development process for the next generation of professional players.

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Post Author

Alberto Fílter

Coordinator FSI Lab and Host of FSI Talks

Alberto Fílter holds a PhD in Football from the Pablo de Olavide University in Seville, as well as a Master’s in High Performance in Physical and Sports Training from the same institution.

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