Sport-specific sprint force-velocity-power profiles in youth athletes: maturity matters.

Abstract

This study examined whether different sports (athletics, football, rugby, handball) influence sprint performance and force-velocity-power (F-v-P) profiles according to maturity status. 120 male youth (30 per sport; aged 12.0-16.9 years), matched for chronological age and maturity offset (MO), performed two maximal 30-metre sprints. Sprint performance and F-v-P variables (F₀, v₀, P_max, S_FV) were calculated using Samozino's method from radar-derived velocity-time data and photocell splits. ANCOVA and regression analyses assessed the effects of sport, maturity, and their interaction. Significant main effects were observed for Sport and MO on all sprint performance variables (p < 0.05 to p < 0.001). Football and rugby players were faster than handball players and track sprinters over 10 metres, with football players fastest at 30 metres. MO × Sport interactions showed that football players had smaller sprint gains with maturation. A significant main effect of Sport was revealed for all F-v-P variables except for absolute P_max (p < 0.01 to p < 0.001). Handball players showed the most force-oriented profile, differing from football and rugby players. Maturation-related improvements in F-v-P variables were similar across sports. These results suggest that while F-v-P development is mainly driven by maturation, sprint performance is more influenced by sport-specific demands.