{"status":"ok","message-type":"work","message-version":"1.0.0","message":{"indexed":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,16]],"date-time":"2026-09-16T14:07:15Z","timestamp":1789567635374,"version":"build-2803163510"},"reference-count":35,"publisher":"Frontiers Media SA","license":[{"start":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,16]],"date-time":"2026-09-16T00:00:00Z","timestamp":1789516800000},"content-version":"vor","delay-in-days":0,"URL":"https:\/\/creativecommons.org\/licenses\/by\/4.0\/"}],"content-domain":{"domain":["frontiersin.org"],"crossmark-restriction":true},"short-container-title":["Front. Psychol."],"abstract":"<jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Aim<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This study conducted the first scoping review with evidence gap map (EGM) on bio-banding in football, a field that has received increasing attention. Although previous studies have investigated technical and physical performance, including physiological outcomes, these findings have not yet been comprehensively reviewed. Hence, this review aimed to synthesize the existing evidence, identify research gaps, and inform future research priorities.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Methods<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>This scoping review followed the PRISMA Extension for Scoping Reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guidelines. The databases searched were Web of Science, Scopus, SPORTDiscus, and ScienceDirect, and the searches were conducted on 29 January 2026. Eligible studies were original articles published in English or Spanish that investigated bio-banding in youth football players aged 11\u201315\u202fyears, with no restriction on publication year. Data on study characteristics, participant information, and study outcomes were extracted and synthesized to develop the evidence gap map (EGM).<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Results<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>A total of 47 records were identified, of which 20 met the selection criteria. Publications on bio-banding have increased markedly in recent years. Technical performance and psychological outcomes were the most frequently investigated themes, whereas no studies examined injury outcomes. The majority of studies involved male players and were conducted in Europe, highlighting the need for research involving female players, stakeholders, and more geographically diverse populations.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>\n                  <jats:sec>\n                    <jats:title>Conclusion<\/jats:title>\n                    <jats:p>Bio-banding is a promising strategy for talent identification and player development. Current evidence suggests that it may reduce maturity-related differences while supporting technical, tactical, and psychological development. However, important evidence gaps remain, particularly regarding physiological outcomes, female players, non-European populations, and diverse study designs. These findings provide practical guidance for coaches and practitioners and highlight priorities for future research.<\/jats:p>\n                  <\/jats:sec>","DOI":"10.3389\/fpsyg.2026.1960364","type":"journal-article","created":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,16]],"date-time":"2026-09-16T13:28:36Z","timestamp":1789565316000},"update-policy":"https:\/\/doi.org\/10.3389\/crossmark-policy","source":"Crossref","is-referenced-by-count":0,"title":["Bio-banding in football: a scoping review with evidence gap map"],"prefix":"10.3389","volume":"17","author":[{"given":"Jihang","family":"Zhang","sequence":"first","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University","place":["Shanghai, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Rui","family":"Bao","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University","place":["Shanghai, China"]},{"name":"School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University","place":["Loughborough, United Kingdom"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Liuyi","family":"Wang","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education, Shenzhen University","place":["Shenzhen, China"]},{"name":"Department of Health and Physical Education, The Education University of Hong Kong","place":["Taipo, Hong Kong SAR, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Shihan","family":"Zhuge","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Physical Education and Health, East China Normal University","place":["Shanghai, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Pengyu","family":"Pan","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"Institute of Exercise Training and Sports Informatics, German Sport University Cologne","place":["Cologne, Germany"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Da","family":"An","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Physical Education, Nanchang University","place":["Nanchang, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Junmao","family":"Chen","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Physical Education, Inner Mongolian Minzu University","place":["Tongliao, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Haoyang","family":"Yu","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences, Loughborough University","place":["Loughborough, United Kingdom"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]},{"given":"Xinjie","family":"Zhuo","sequence":"additional","affiliation":[{"name":"College of Physical Education and Sports, Beijing Normal University","place":["Beijing, China"]}],"role":[{"vocabulary":"crossref","role":"author"}]}],"member":"1965","published-online":{"date-parts":[[2026,9,16]]},"reference":[{"key":"ref1","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"193","DOI":"10.3390\/sports7080193","article-title":"Effects of bio-banding upon physical and technical performance during soccer competition: a preliminary analysis","volume":"7","author":"Abbott","year":"2019","journal-title":"Sports"},{"key":"ref2","doi-asserted-by":"publisher","first-page":"2292","DOI":"10.1080\/02640414.2024.2328968","article-title":"Chronological age-based vs. bio-banded friendly football tournament: effects on physical performance and spatial exploration behaviour in 7v7 match play","volume":"42","author":"Arede","year":"2024","journal-title":"J. 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