Single-Leg Squat Performance in Active Adolescents Aged 8-17 Years

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Pediatric Exercise Science
• Biomechanics

Background:

• Adolescent athletes face high rates of lower extremity injuries, with up to 89% of annual injuries linked to sports participation.
• The single-leg squat (SLS) is a valuable clinical assessment for evaluating lower extremity mechanics and identifying potential injury risks.
• Limited data exists on SLS performance in healthy children and adolescents, particularly concerning the influence of maturity status on motor performance.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate single-leg squat (SLS) performance in adolescents aged 8-17 years.
• To determine the relationship between SLS performance, chronological age, and maturity level in this demographic.
• To provide normative data for SLS performance in youth athletes to aid in injury risk assessment.

Main Methods:

• Forty-five adolescents (aged 8-17 years) were videotaped performing 10 single-leg squats using a standardized protocol.
• Biometric data including standing height, seated height, and leg length were collected.
• Adolescents were classified into three maturity levels based on peak height velocity calculations, and SLS performance was scored using specific criteria.

Main Results:

• Chronological age was identified as a significant predictor of SLS performance.
• Younger children exhibited significantly poorer single-leg squat scores compared to older adolescents.
• Maturity status did not show a significant direct influence on SLS performance in this cohort.

Conclusions:

• Chronological age is a critical factor to consider when evaluating single-leg squat (SLS) performance in adolescent athletes.
• Coaches and trainers should account for age-related differences in SLS mechanics to better assess injury risk.
• Age-specific training programs focusing on areas like single-leg stability can enhance functional performance and potentially reduce injury incidence in youth athletes.