Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport: A Scoping Review
Bone maturity is an indicator for estimating the biological maturity of an individual. During adolescence, individuals show heterogeneous growth rates, and thus, differences in biological maturity should be considered in talent identification and development. Radiography of the left hand and wrist i...
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| Format: | Article |
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MDPI AG
2022-12-01
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| Series: | Children |
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| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/12/1985 |
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| author | Eva Rüeger Nicole Hutmacher Patric Eichelberger Claus Löcherbach Silvia Albrecht Michael Romann |
| author_facet | Eva Rüeger Nicole Hutmacher Patric Eichelberger Claus Löcherbach Silvia Albrecht Michael Romann |
| author_sort | Eva Rüeger |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Bone maturity is an indicator for estimating the biological maturity of an individual. During adolescence, individuals show heterogeneous growth rates, and thus, differences in biological maturity should be considered in talent identification and development. Radiography of the left hand and wrist is considered the gold standard of biological maturity estimation. The use of ultrasound imaging (US) may be advantageous; however, its validity and reliability are under discussion. The aims of this scoping review are (1) to summarize the different methods for estimating biological maturity by US imaging in adolescents, (2) to obtain an overview of the level of validity and reliability of the methods, and (3) to point out the practicability and usefulness of ultrasound imaging in the field of youth sports. The search included articles published up to November 2022. The inclusion criteria stipulated that participants had to fall within the age range of 8 to 23 years and be free of bone disease and fractures in the region of interest. Nine body regions were investigated, while the hand and wrist were most commonly analyzed. US assessment methods were usually based on the estimation of a bone maturity stage, rather than a decimal bone age. Furthermore, 70% of the assessments were evaluated as applicable, 10% expressed restraint about implementation, and 20% were evaluated as not applicable. When tested, inter- and intra-rater reliability was high to excellent. Despite the absence of ionization, low costs, fast assessment, and accessibility, none of the US assessments could be referred to as a gold standard. If further development succeeds, its application has the potential to incorporate biological age into selection processes. This would allow for more equal opportunities in talent selection and thus make talent development fairer and more efficient. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:11:08Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-2505a17927b84b34bf1bebf8014bbfef |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2227-9067 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T17:11:08Z |
| publishDate | 2022-12-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Children |
| spelling | doaj.art-2505a17927b84b34bf1bebf8014bbfef2023-11-24T14:03:06ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672022-12-01912198510.3390/children9121985Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport: A Scoping ReviewEva Rüeger0Nicole Hutmacher1Patric Eichelberger2Claus Löcherbach3Silvia Albrecht4Michael Romann5Department of Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen, 2532 Magglingen, SwitzerlandSchool of Health Professions, Physiotherapy, Bern University of Applied Science, 3012 Bern, SwitzerlandSchool of Health Professions, Physiotherapy, Bern University of Applied Science, 3012 Bern, SwitzerlandSwiss Olympic Medical Center, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen, 2532 Magglingen, SwitzerlandSwiss Olympic Medical Center, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen, 2532 Magglingen, SwitzerlandDepartment of Elite Sport, Swiss Federal Institute of Sport Magglingen, 2532 Magglingen, SwitzerlandBone maturity is an indicator for estimating the biological maturity of an individual. During adolescence, individuals show heterogeneous growth rates, and thus, differences in biological maturity should be considered in talent identification and development. Radiography of the left hand and wrist is considered the gold standard of biological maturity estimation. The use of ultrasound imaging (US) may be advantageous; however, its validity and reliability are under discussion. The aims of this scoping review are (1) to summarize the different methods for estimating biological maturity by US imaging in adolescents, (2) to obtain an overview of the level of validity and reliability of the methods, and (3) to point out the practicability and usefulness of ultrasound imaging in the field of youth sports. The search included articles published up to November 2022. The inclusion criteria stipulated that participants had to fall within the age range of 8 to 23 years and be free of bone disease and fractures in the region of interest. Nine body regions were investigated, while the hand and wrist were most commonly analyzed. US assessment methods were usually based on the estimation of a bone maturity stage, rather than a decimal bone age. Furthermore, 70% of the assessments were evaluated as applicable, 10% expressed restraint about implementation, and 20% were evaluated as not applicable. When tested, inter- and intra-rater reliability was high to excellent. Despite the absence of ionization, low costs, fast assessment, and accessibility, none of the US assessments could be referred to as a gold standard. If further development succeeds, its application has the potential to incorporate biological age into selection processes. This would allow for more equal opportunities in talent selection and thus make talent development fairer and more efficient.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/12/1985ultrasonographybone agebiological maturityyouth sporttalent development |
| spellingShingle | Eva Rüeger Nicole Hutmacher Patric Eichelberger Claus Löcherbach Silvia Albrecht Michael Romann Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport: A Scoping Review Children ultrasonography bone age biological maturity youth sport talent development |
| title | Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport: A Scoping Review |
| title_full | Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport: A Scoping Review |
| title_fullStr | Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport: A Scoping Review |
| title_full_unstemmed | Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport: A Scoping Review |
| title_short | Ultrasound Imaging-Based Methods for Assessing Biological Maturity during Adolescence and Possible Application in Youth Sport: A Scoping Review |
| title_sort | ultrasound imaging based methods for assessing biological maturity during adolescence and possible application in youth sport a scoping review |
| topic | ultrasonography bone age biological maturity youth sport talent development |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/9/12/1985 |
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