Evidence at play: evidence-based practices and barriers in biological maturation assessment among German football academies

Arenas, L; Skorski, S; Meyer, T; Frenger, M

Evidence at play: evidence-based practices and barriers in biological maturation assessment among German football academies

Arenas, L Skorski, S Meyer, T Frenger, M

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Publisher:: SPRINGER
Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, 2025
Issue Date:: 2025-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Arenas, L
dc.contributor.author	Skorski, S
dc.contributor.author	Meyer, T
dc.contributor.author	Frenger, M
dc.date.accessioned	2025-07-15T05:58:02Z
dc.date.available	2025-07-15T05:58:02Z
dc.date.issued	2025-01-01
dc.identifier.citation	German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research, 2025
dc.identifier.issn	2509-3142
dc.identifier.issn	2509-3150
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/188308
dc.description.abstract	Purpose: This study examined the extent to which German male football academies adopt evidence-based practices (EBP) and their impact on the execution of biological maturation assessments. It also explored perceived barriers to implementing these assessments. Methods: With a 71.4% completion rate, 40 support staff members from German male football academies completed an online survey. The survey included questions on clubs’ beliefs about EBP, maturation assessment and monitoring practices, and data utilization. Responses were structured as multiple-choice or unipolar Likert scale questions with four to five labeled points. A magnitude-based decision approach was used to interpret findings. Results: Results indicate a strong integration of EBP within German football academies, reflected in an EBP index of 3.66 ± 0.89 on a 5-point Likert scale. Significant differences (p = 0.035) were observed between participants conducting biological maturation assessments (3.91 ± 0.65) and those who do not (3.44 ± 0.71). Time constraints (68%) and staffing limitations were identified as primary barriers. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the positive adoption of evidence-based practices in German football academies, with higher EBP index scores linked to conducting biological maturation assessments. The higher EBP index scores among those conducting biological maturation assessments highlight the crucial role of organizational culture in implementation. Structural barriers, contributing to the perceived “time constraints”, are key challenges, while staff competence is not a limiting factor. Promoting innovative, solution-oriented practices could help address these barriers, enhance decision-making, and better align processes with long-term player development goals.
dc.language	English
dc.publisher	SPRINGER
dc.relation.ispartof	German Journal of Exercise and Sport Research
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1007/s12662-025-01031-2
dc.rights	info:eu-repo/semantics/openAccess
dc.subject.classification	4207 Sports science and exercise
dc.title	Evidence at play: evidence-based practices and barriers in biological maturation assessment among German football academies
dc.type	Journal Article
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
utslib.copyright.status	open_access	*
dc.rights.license	This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). To view a copy of this license, visit https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.date.updated	2025-07-15T05:58:01Z
pubs.publication-status	Published

Abstract:

Purpose: This study examined the extent to which German male football academies adopt evidence-based practices (EBP) and their impact on the execution of biological maturation assessments. It also explored perceived barriers to implementing these assessments. Methods: With a 71.4% completion rate, 40 support staff members from German male football academies completed an online survey. The survey included questions on clubs’ beliefs about EBP, maturation assessment and monitoring practices, and data utilization. Responses were structured as multiple-choice or unipolar Likert scale questions with four to five labeled points. A magnitude-based decision approach was used to interpret findings. Results: Results indicate a strong integration of EBP within German football academies, reflected in an EBP index of 3.66 ± 0.89 on a 5-point Likert scale. Significant differences (p = 0.035) were observed between participants conducting biological maturation assessments (3.91 ± 0.65) and those who do not (3.44 ± 0.71). Time constraints (68%) and staffing limitations were identified as primary barriers. Conclusion: The findings emphasize the positive adoption of evidence-based practices in German football academies, with higher EBP index scores linked to conducting biological maturation assessments. The higher EBP index scores among those conducting biological maturation assessments highlight the crucial role of organizational culture in implementation. Structural barriers, contributing to the perceived “time constraints”, are key challenges, while staff competence is not a limiting factor. Promoting innovative, solution-oriented practices could help address these barriers, enhance decision-making, and better align processes with long-term player development goals.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/188308