Bio-Banding in Handball: Academy Players' Perceptions Based on Maturity Status and Gender

The purpose of this study was to evaluate young male and female handball players' perceptions of the bio-banding concept. The estimated biological maturity status was assessed in a sample of 46 male and 40 female handball players (aged 14.06±1.40 years), who competed in both an annual age-group and bio-banded tournament. To test the players' perception of bio-banding, a post-competition questionnaire was conducted. A series of ANOVA and one-sample t-tests were used in order to examine the differences in perception between the different maturity groups. An inductive thematic analysis of the qualitative data recorded in the open-ended questions was also carried out. The results showed that early-maturing boys enjoyed the bio-banding tournament more than late-maturing boys (p<0.05). Conversely, no differences were found in girls (p>0.05). Furthermore, discussions were conducted based on the qualitative analysis of the players' written comments regarding their overall experience, finding individual variance in biological maturity may be less relevant in female sports contexts due to gender-related differences. Thus, a greater influence on play and leadership in late maturing boys and early maturing girls, a greater physical challenge in early maturing boys and an opportunity to express themselves technically and tactically in late maturing boys and on-time maturing girls were observed. Therefore, stakeholders must consider the different consequences of bio-banding in order to maximize the athlete's sport development process.