Document Type : Original Article
Authors
1
PhD Student in Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran & Lecturer at Department of Child Education, Faculty of Education, Damascus University, Damascus, Syria.
2
Professor at Department of Exercise Physiology, Faculty of Sport Science, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran
3
Lecturer at Department of Physical Education, Faculty of Sport Sciences, Ferdowsi University of Mashhad, Mashhad, Iran.
10.22077/jpsbs.2026.10461.2011
Abstract
Background and Aim: Adolescence is one of the most sensitive stages of human development, which is accompanied by the onset of biological changes associated with puberty. During this period, accurate prediction of biological maturation plays an important role in optimizing sports performance and reducing vulnerability. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between biological maturation periods and physical fitness variables in adolescent male handball players. Materials and Methods: This was a field study and was descriptive and correlational. The statistical population consisted of adolescent handball players in Mashhad, and 60 adolescent male handball players with an average age of 13.3±1.7 years, height of 167.6±13.7 cm, and weight of 60.33±16.2 kg were selected purposefully. Initially, kinanthropometric measurements (height, weight, body mass index, sitting height, and leg length) were recorded, and the maturity score of each participant was calculated using the Mirwald equation, and then randomly the following tests were taken: upper body explosive power of medicine ball throwing, 20-meter speed, lower body muscle strength of extensor dynamometer, and anaerobic power of the Rast test. Spearman correlation coefficient test were used to analyze the data to examine the relationships between variables. All hypotheses were tested at a significance level of p<0.05. Results: Early puberty showed a significant positive relationship with upper body explosive power (r=0.42; p=0.019), lower body muscular strength (r=0.41; p=0.025), and anaerobic power (r=0.36; p=0.045). Ontime puberty showed a significant positive relationship with upper body explosive power (r=0.63; p=0.009) and lower body muscular strength (r=0.65; p=0.006). Late puberty showed a significant positive relationship with upper body explosive power (r=0.60; p=0.018) and anaerobic power (r=0.66; p=0.007).
Conclusion: results showed that biological maturity plays an important role in determining the physiological and functional characteristics of adolescent male handball players. Accordingly, talent identification and training programs should consider the status of biological maturity.
Keywords
)