The influence of maturation on sprint performance in boys over a 21-month period

Purpose This study examined how the characteristics of maximal overground sprint performance are affected by the period of peak height velocity (PHV) in boys. Methods One hundred eighty-nine school-Age boys completed two assessments of maximal sprint performance, separated by a 21-month period. Kinematic characteristics of sprint performance were collected during a 30-m sprint using a floor-level optical measurement system, with modeled force and stiffness characteristics also calculated. Participants were grouped according to maturation using a noninvasive predictive equation. Individuals whose maturity offset was0.5 yr in test two were classed as pre-to-post PHV (n = 39). Participants with a maturity offset between \u3e-0.5 an