What do we know (and not know) about adolescent awkwardness in youth sports? A narrative review

Borato, Lucas André ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2814-1449, Whatman, Chris ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1468-3901, Walters, Simon ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6467-4982 and Read, Paul J ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1508-8602 (2025) What do we know (and not know) about adolescent awkwardness in youth sports? A narrative review. International Journal of Sports Science & Coaching. doi:10.1177/17479541251364101

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Abstract

Adolescent awkwardness is commonly referenced in sports science and medicine literature and is believed to impact athletic development and injury risk in youth sports. However, this concept is not well understood, and a literature synthesis has yet to be conducted. The aim of this narrative review was to synthesize and evaluate the evidence for adolescent awkwardness. Specifically, we examined how it has been defined and assessed in a youth sports setting. A literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, CINAHL Complete, and SPORTDiscus via EBSCO Health with 21 articles meeting our inclusion criteria. Most authors believe that adolescent awkwardness is a transitory period in which youth experience decreases in coordination and balance, impacting athletic performance and potentially increasing injury risk, yet there is no single accepted definition. There is also no consistency or standardization in the tests used. Measures of balance and lower limb power may be useful for tracking athletic performance across maturation, but their ability to identify a period of adolescent awkwardness appears limited. Some studies observed a decline in sensorimotor function during the growth spurt, while others show continuous improvement or high variability between youth. Cumulatively, it appears that adolescent awkwardness is poorly understood and there is no consensus definition or assessment method, warranting further research.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Balance; Coordination; Growth spurt; Maturation; Peak height velocity
Subjects:	G Geography. Anthropology. Recreation > GV Recreation Leisure > GV557 Sports Q Science > QP Physiology > QP301.H75 Physiology. Sport
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > School of Education, Health and Sciences
Depositing User:	Charlotte Crutchlow
Date Deposited:	26 Aug 2025 10:05
Last Modified:	29 Aug 2025 08:00
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/15267

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