Maturational Rate of Female Soccer Players

Abstract

Previous reports suggest that across sports elite athletes attain menarche later, on average, than lower-level athletes and non-athletes. Little data exists concerning the age of menarche in female soccer players. PURPOSE The purpose of the present study was to compare age at menarche in female soccer players across competitive levels. METHODS Subjects included female soccer players of club (U-15 and U-18, n=38, mean age 16.2 ± 0.2 yrs), college (Division I, n=12, mean age 20.6 ± 0.3 yrs; Division II, n=26, mean age 22.5 ± 0.5 yrs; Division III, n=17, mean age 20.7 ± 0.7 yrs), and the U-21 U.S. national team (n=11, mean age 20.9 ± 0.2 yrs). Age at menarche and playing history were collected retrospectively by a previously validated questionnaire. In addition self-reported height and weight were recorded. All data is reported as mean ± SEM. Differences between groups were determined using one-way analysis of variance at p≤0.05. Post hoc comparisons between group means were made using Tukey HSD. RESULTS Age at menarche for the Club teams, Division I, Division II, Division III and U-21 U.S. national team were 12.5 ± 0.4, 13.0 ± 0.7, 14.0 ± 0.3, 13.5 ± 0.4 and 14.5 ± 0.7 years respectively. Age at menarche was significantly different between the club teams and U-21 U.S. national team (p≤0.05). In addition, age at menarche in the Division II team was significantly different from the club teams (p≤0.05). Age at menarche did not differ between the college teams, nor did age at menarche differ between the college teams and the U-21 U.S. national team. There was no difference in the age subjects began participating in sports across competitive levels. CONCLUSIONS Age at menarche was the latest in the U-21 U.S. National team and earliest in the club team members. These results are similar to those reported previously in other sports. It appears that in the female soccer players as competitive level is increased age at menarche occurs later.