A influência do desenvolvimento sexual sobre as qualidades físicas básicas de meninos adolescentes

Abstract

Objective The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of sexual maturation on anthropometric parameters and basic physical characteristics in male adolescents aged from ten to fourteen years old. Materials and Methods The biological age was studied through the evaluation of the stage of the external genitalia development. Other evaluated characteristics were: total body mass (MCT), stature, body mass index (BMI), bone age (IO), strength, speed, agility and aerobic power. Results The results showed significant differences in all variables related to growth (chronological age, height, total body mass, body mass index and bone age) between different stages of sexual maturation. In relation to physical qualities, among maturational stages, we find significant differences in most characteristics, except for agility. Conclusions Based on this study, we may conclude that sexual maturation, evaluated by the stages of development of the external genitalia, exerts great influence on the anthropometric variables, the bone age and the basic physical characteristics of adolescent boys.

Maturational stages: comparison of growth and physical capacity indicators in adolescents

“…Based on the premise that the maturational process is guided by the increase in the circulation of testosterone and estrogen hormones in boys and girls, respectively 21 , it would be reasonable to suppose that the more advanced stages of sexual maturation would present higher concentration of these hormones and, consequently, better performance in physical tests 24 . However, this premise was not supported by the results found in this study and diverges from previous studies, which have demonstrated that in more advanced maturational stages, physical performance is higher compared to individuals with delayed maturational stage 5,6 , as well as the hormonal concentration levels 25 . Vidal-Linhares et al 6 , observed a significant tendency to increase physical capacity in parallel with the advancement of the maturational stage in male adolescents.…”

“…However, this premise was not supported by the results found in this study and diverges from previous studies, which have demonstrated that in more advanced maturational stages, physical performance is higher compared to individuals with delayed maturational stage 5,6 , as well as the hormonal concentration levels 25 . Vidal-Linhares et al 6 , observed a significant tendency to increase physical capacity in parallel with the advancement of the maturational stage in male adolescents. When verifying the performance of the explosive strength of upper and lower limbs of young volleyball players, higher performance was observed in adolescents of both genders with accelerated maturational stage in relation to their pairs with delayed maturation, using a model that estimates bone age.…”

“…Recently, studies have found that individuals in the same age group with different maturational stages have different growth and motor performance indicators, suggesting that maturation is an important tool to be used in conjunction with growth and motor performance indicators to provide more accurate interpretations of these individuals [4][5][6] . During adolescence, the accelerated maturational stage reflects on body growth, strength and power compared to individuals with delayed biological development 5,7,8 , however, with age advancement, these differences tend to be reduced and/or eliminated and contribute to the reduction of participation of adolescents in sports activities 9 .…”