Bigger but Are They Better? Investigating Growth, Maturation, and Physical Performance Metrics in Underage Gaelic Games Development Squads

Kearney, C, Coughlan, EK, O'Connell, A, Lacey, S, and Burns, C. Bigger but are they better? Investigating growth, maturation, and physical performance metrics in underage Gaelic games development squads. J Strength Cond Res 39(6): e806-e814, 2025-The purpose of this study was to examine (a) maturation status distribution across intercounty underage Gaelic games development squads and (b) differences in physical performance metrics relative to maturation status. The study is the first to assess physical performance metrics in intercounty development squad Gaelic Games players, with reference to maturation status. The Khamis & Roche method was used to establish maturation status in 254 male U15 and U16 Gaelic Games development squad players. Tests for lower body power (countermovement jump [CMJ] height), linear speed (10, 20 m), upper body strength (maximum chin-up test), and aerobic endurance (GAA modified Bronco) were conducted. One-way multivariate analysis of variance and analysis of variance were conducted, with an alpha level of p < 0.05 set to determine statistical significance. In both U15 and U16 groups, early developers (EDs) comprised 64.9 and 64.0%, respectively, while on-time (OT) developers comprised 31.5% (U15) and 33.7% (U16), and late developers (LDs) comprised 3.6% (U15) and 2.3% (U16). For U15, ED exhibited significantly faster 10 m speed than LD ( p = 0.045) and faster 20 m speed than both OT ( p = 0.007) and LD ( p = 0.006). After post hoc tests for U16, CMJ scores showed no significant differences ( p > 0.05), while U16 ED and OT displayed faster 20 m speed than LD ( p = 0.023, p = 0.024, respectively). Coach education around growth and maturation and strategies such as biobanding should be used in talent development settings. Practitioners should interpret speed times relative to maturation status as opposed to chronological age.