Percentage change-of-direction deficit across age categories and biological maturity groups in youth soccer players

While linear sprint and change-of-direction (COD) performance generally improve with age and maturation in youth soccer players, it remains unclear whether the percentage COD deficit (%CODD) follows a similar pattern across developmental groups. This study compared %CODD across age categories and maturation statuses and examined its relationships with other physical performance tests. Eighty-one academy players were divided according to their age categories (U-13, U-15, and U-17) and maturity offset (pre-, circa-, and post-peak height velocity [PHV]). Athletes completed anthropometric assessments, 5- and 20-m sprint tests, countermovement jump, and a Zigzag COD test. %CODD was derived from Zigzag and linear sprint performance, while sprint momentum was calculated from the 20-m linear sprint and body mass. Older and more mature players significantly outperformed their younger and less mature peers in all tests (p < 0.01), except for %CODD, which increased significantly from U13 to U15 and from pre to circa-PHV. Correlation analyses revealed that in U-13, U-15, pre and circa-PHV, %CODD was largely associated with COD performance, whereas in U-17 and post-PHV, it was strongly related to linear sprint performance and momentum. Therefore, %CODD follows a distinct pattern across age categories and maturity groups and may not reflect the same performance attributes across developmental stages, as differences in linear sprint performance, momentum, and COD-related performance may be associated with changes in the relative contribution of its underlying determinants.