Consequently, this article will critically analyze existing literature to (a) define the terminology associated with the different age classifications, (b) review existing methods of assessing maturation, and (c) demonstrate how the assessment of maturation can be of multiple benefits to practitioners. Although researchers have examined the influence of growth and maturation on physical performance in youth, practical information on different classifications of maturational assessments and their proper use by practitioners is limited. However, when working with either children or adolescents such changes in performance can be significantly affected by growth and maturational factors. The physical and physiological assessment of athletes is often performed at various stages during a yearly cycle of training to establish the effectiveness of individual blocks of training or the overall success of the annual training plan. This article synthesizes the relevant assessment methods and provides a rationale for understanding usable biological maturation assessment tools that can aid in the development of training program design for youth. Although there are several methods available to assess biological maturation, practitioners who work with youth can benefit from assessment methods that are available and feasible, and that provide utility in the quantification of the degree and stages of biological maturation that affect motor performance in children and adolescents. Practitioners who work with school-age youth should be aware of the age-related changes that typically take place during a child's development to ensure that their strength and conditioning programming is as safe and effective as possible for enhancing performance and reducing injury risk.

Mismatched rapid growth in the long bones relative to muscular lengthening may disrupt structure, neuromuscular function, and physical performance. J Strength Cond Res 28(5): 1454–1464, 2014-Biological maturation is associated with significant change to a number of physiological and structural processes throughout childhood and, in particular, adolescence.

biological maturation: Implications for exercise programming in youth. Lloyd, RS, Oliver, JL, Faigenbaum, AD, Myer, GD, and De Ste Croix, MBA.

Biological vs chronological age