ABSTRACT
Elite athletes pass through a vulnerable developmental stage during adolescence. The passage from the youth to professional level connotes increases in training load, greater competitive requirements and growing performance pressures (Wylleman & Reints, 2010). Furthermore, the period between 14 and 18 years of age is, in the majority of cases, decisive for athletes’ career development. In Germany, for example, they must meet both the requirements for integration into the national sports promotion system and school (or vocational training) qualifications. In youth elite sports, this transition coincides with key maturational processes. Triggered by hormonal changes and moderated by environmental factors (e.g. nutrition, health care, stress) as well as gender, the reproductive, cardio-respiratory and musculoskeletal systems develop during adolescence (generally 12-18 years) (Coleman, 2011). In particular, the growth process plays a decisive role. Body proportions, weight and fitness capacities change and, during the growth spurt, height increases on average approximately 8 cm per year (Naughton, Farpour-Lambert, Carlson, Bradney, & Van
ri and Ansgar Thiel
Praagh, 2000). In addition to the positive effects on adolescents’ performance capacities, the growth process challenges athletes’ trainability (Bailey, 2002; Naughton et al., 2000). Timing and growth rates are highly individual and occur in a non-linear fashion, which can temporarily lead to deficiencies in coordination and musculoskeletal imbalances (Naughton et al., 2000). The possible consequences for adolescent athletes training intensively while growing include overloading and specific overuse injuries (Brenner, 2007; Cassas & Cassettari-Wayhs, 2006). The coincidence of the growth phase with the increasing challenges of the elite sport system thus presents a setting-specific risk for youth athletes.
