Bio-banding in handball: Academy players' perceptions based on maturity status and gender.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate young male and female handball players' perceptions to 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, 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 (p < 0.05). Conversely, no differences were found in girls (p > 0.05). Interesting conclusions could be drawn from the qualitative analysis of the players' written comments. Furthermore, a greater influence on play and leadership in male late and female early maturers, a greater physical challenge in male early maturers and an opportunity to express themselves technically and tactically in male late and female on-time maturers were observed. Thus, stakeholders must consider the different consequences of bio-banding in order to maximise the athlete's sport development process.