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ORAL ABSTRACTS - THURSDAY, 21 MAY 2015and increased isovolumetric relaxation time. Additional studies are required to shed more light oncardiovascular adaptations to football in children and their consequences for long-term health.S18.2The relative age effect in German national youth footballSabrina Skorski(1), S Skorski(2), O Faude(3), D Hammes(1,3), T Meyer(1)(1) Institute of Sports and Preventive Medicine, Saarland University, Saarbrücken, Germany(2) Department of Sport Science, University of Freiburg, Germany(3) Department of Sport, Exercise and Health, University of Basel, SwitzerlandObjectives: The over-representation of athletes born early in the year has repeatedly been reported(relative age effect (RAE)), with physical advantages (anthropometry and performancecharacteristics) as most likely responsible for the effect. Thus, we investigated if such a differencebetween birth quarters (BQ) is evident in elite German youth football and if BQ affects the chanceto become professional.Methods: 554 youth players, tested between 2007 and 2011, were divided into 6 age groups (U16-U21), each of them subdivided into 4 BQs. Each player performed at least one 30-m sprint test, acounter movement jump (CMJ) and an incremental running test to determine the individualanaerobic threshold (IAT; indicator of endurance capacity). for players performing more than onetest within a team, the best one was included. Some players were part of different teams, thus 832data sets were analysed.Results: More players were born in BQ1 compared with all others (p0.07), sprint time,CMJ or IAT (p>0.18). Players born in BQ4 were more likely to become professional compared toBQ1 (odds ratio: 3.04).Conclusion: A large RAE exists in elite German youth football but it is not explained by anadvantage in anthropometric or performance-related parameters. Younger players selected intonational teams have a greater chance to become professional later in their career. They possiblycompensate selection disadvantages with greater commitment or have greater talent when selectedbecause they have to ‘stand out’ against older players.S18.3Influence of biological maturity on the match performance of 8 to 16 year old elite male youthsoccer playersHeita Goto(1), J Morris(2), M Nevill(2)(1) Faculty of Sports Science, Kyushu Kyoritsu University, Kitakyushu, Fukuoka, Japan(2) Sport, Health and Performance Enhancement (SHAPE) Research Group, Department of SportScience, School of Science and Technology, Nottingham Trent University, UKThe aim of the present study was to examine the influence of biological maturity on matchperformance in elite youth soccer players. The participants were 102 Premier League Academyfield players (8-16 years old). Biological maturity was determined by calculating estimatedchronological age at peak height velocity. The U9 and U10 squads played 6 a-side and the U11-U16107