Differences in physical and technical performance characteristics between 11 v 11 chronological and bio-banded soccer match-play

Objectives Bio-banding groups athletes by maturity rather than chronological age, to promote more equitable competition and development opportunities. We investigated whether physical and technical performance differed between chronological and bio-banded 11v11 match-play formats in youth soccer. A secondary aim was to examine whether these differences varied by maturity status and timing. Design Twelve Junior Premier League teams (N = 139 players) from the U13, U14, and U15 age groups participated. Each team played six, 20-minute matches: three in chronological age and three in bio-banded formats. Bio-banding was based on the percentage of predicted adult height: pre-peak height velocity (< 90 %), mid-peak height velocity (90–96 %) and post-peak height velocity (> 96 %). Methods Players wore foot-mounted inertial measurement units to record physical (distance covered, high-speed running > 4 m/s, sprinting > 5.5 m/s, and accelerations/decelerations ± 2.6 m/s/s) and technical (total touches, possessions, time on ball and one-touch/short/long possession counts) performance characteristics. Data were analysed using t-tests and analysis of variance with Bonferroni correction. Significance was set at p < 0.05, and effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated. A multivariate analysis was also conducted. Results Whole sample analysis showed significantly more time on the ball per possession (d = 0.17), and fewer one-touch actions (d = 0.25) in bio-banded matches. Post-peak height velocity players covered significantly more high-intensity distance (d = 0.63) but recorded fewer total touches (d = 0.60), total possessions (d = 0.65) and one-touch possessions (d = 0.71) in the bio-banded format. There were significant differences between pre- and mid-peak height velocity players for all physical metrics across both chronological and bio-banded matches (d = 0.48–72), and between maturity groups (pre-post-peak height velocity, mid-post-peak height velocity) for technical actions in chronological format but not mirrored in bio-banding matches. Conclusions Bio-banding was associated with altered physical and technical demands, especially for post-peak height velocity players. Findings suggest bio-banding may provide an appropriate competition format, exposing players to different developmental challenges, which may support more equitable and balanced experiences. Keywords Bio-bandingGrowthMaturationPhysical demandsTechnical demands