Objectives Bio-banding groups athletes by biological maturity rather than chronological age, to reduce variation in physical characteristics, to promote more equitable competition and development opportunities. We investigated whether physical and technical performance characteristics 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-min matches: three in chronological age and three in bio-banded formats. Bio-banding was based on the percentage of predicted adult height (PAH%): pre-PHV (<90%), mid-PHV (90-96%) and post-PHV (>96%). Methods Players wore foot-mounted inertial measurement units to record physical (distance covered, high-speed running >4m/s, sprinting >5.5m/s, and accelerations/decelerations ±2.6m/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 ANOVA 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-PHV 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-PHV players for all physical metrics across both chronological and bio-banded matches (d=0.48-72), and between maturity groups (pre-post-PHV, mid-post-PHV) for technical actions in chronological format. However, these differences in technical characteristics were not mirrored in bio-banding matches. Conclusions Bio-banding was associated with altered physical and technical demands, especially for post-PHV players. Findings suggest bio-banding may provide an appropriate competition format, exposing players of varying maturity status to different developmental challenges, which may support more equitable and balanced experiences across maturation.
© Copyright 2025 Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. Elsevier. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.