Player ranking is associated with physical performance and body composition in 12-year-old female soccer players

The relative contribution of biological maturation and body composition to performance in youth female soccer remains unclear. This study compared skeletal maturity, body composition, and physical performance across ranking groups in 12-year-old female players within a community club system.

Eighty-eight players (11.9 ± 0.3 years) completed bone age (BA) assessment from non-dominant wrist radiographs, DXA body composition testing, and field-based measures including countermovement jump (CMJ), Illinois change-of-direction test with ball (ICODT-BALL), 40-m sprint, and Yo-Yo intermittent recovery test level 1 (IR1). Players were assigned by their coaches to three performance-based ranking groups. Between-group differences were analysed using one-way ANOVA with η ² effect sizes and Holm-adjusted post-hoc comparisons.

BA did not differ significantly between ranking groups (p = 0.590). Players in Rank 1 (highest rank) showed lower body fat percentage (Fat%) (p = 0.015), whereas no significant differences were found in fat-free mass index (FFMI). Clear performance differences were observed as Rank 1 demonstrated higher CMJ height (p < 0.001), faster ICODT-BALL times (p < 0.001), and faster 40-m sprint performance (p < 0.001). No significant differences were found for the IR1 test between ranking groups (p = 0.360).

Performance ranking at chronological age 12 primarily reflects agility performance with the ball, 40-m sprint performance and CMJ height, but not biological bone age. Higher-ranked players also demonstrated lower Fat%, whereas FFMI did not differ significantly between ranking groups.