The stretch–shortening cycle utilization in futsal players at different pubertal stages

Introduction: Futsal is a high-intensity intermittent sport that imposes physical, technical, and psychological demands. During youth development categories, athletes experience puberty, a period marked by considerable maturational variability among individuals of the same chronological age, which may influence physical performance and the efficiency of motor actions that rely on the stretch–shortening cycle (SSC). Objective: This study aimed to examine the influence of pubertal stage on SSC utilization in youth futsal players. Methodology: Pubertal stage was determined through somatic maturation, and participants were classified as PRE-PUB (before puberty), PUB (during puberty), and POST-PUB (after puberty). SSC utilization was assessed using the percent of prestretch augmentation (PPA = [(CMJ – SJ) / SJ] × 100), calculated from the difference between squat jump (SJ) and countermovement jump (CMJ) performance. Results: SJ and CMJ were significantly lower in pre-pubertal than pubertal and post-pubertal groups (p<0.01) for both jump tests analyzed. No significant differences were observed in PPA among the pubertal stages assessed (PRE-PUB vs. PUB vs. POST-PUB: 2.78 ± 7.4%, 4.84 ± 10.03%, and 4.37 ± 8.13%, respectively). Conclusion: Although the maturational process influences physical performance, SSC utilization does not appear to be significantly affected.