Sports Physiology in Adolescent Track-and-Field Athletes: A Narrative Review

Abstract

The present study aimed to review the physiological aspects of adolescent track-and-field (TAF) athletes. A search of Scopus on 27/12/2022 using the syntax ABS (track-and-field) AND ABS (children) OR ABS (adolescent) showed 121 documents, and 45 were considered for further analysis. In addition, handsearching was conducted to identify Russian literature missing in Scopus. Differences were shown in performance characteristics among disciplines, especially between throwers and the other athletes. The sex difference in performance (ie, a better performance in boys than in girls) started in early adolescence. A relative age effect was more pronounced in athletes under 13 years old. Despite the wide use of nutritional supplements, an insufficient intake of vitamins has been found. The age of training onset and body weight were identified as risk factors for problems with menarche. The inclusion of track-and-field training programs in physical education was beneficial for health and physical fitness. The need to collaborate closely with parents and coaches was identified, especially, regarding education in topics such as the age of training onset, relative age effect, and doping. In conclusion, the existence of many disciplines with different anthropometric and physiological characteristics highlighted the need for a discipline-specific approach.

Uncovering Success Patterns in Track Cycling: Integrating Performance Data with Coaches and Athletes’ Perspectives

“…Notably, recent research in road cycling indicated that the RAE might manifest until the U-15 categories, gradually diminishing as athletes reach the U-19 category [9]. Indeed, the end of puberty in males is likely to occur during the junior years (i.e., between 16 and 18 years old), implying discrepancies in anaerobic capabilities, while most female athletes might have already reached the term of that maturation period [32]. Considering long-term performance development, becoming physically and mentally stronger at a later age may hold greater importance, especially in the endurance disciplines [26].…”

Physical fitness and motor competence performance characteristics of Chinese elite youth athletes from four track and field throwing disciplines—a cross-sectional study

“…Hence, an efficient selection or transfer of talent in track and field throwing events is unfeasible prior to this age due to the significant variations in growth spurts, physical traits, and training experiences during puberty that confer greater speed, strength, and size to adolescent athletes (Zhao and Zhao, 2023). The distinctive nature of the throwing motion results in marked differences in fitness characteristics when compared to other sports (Nikolaidis & Son'kin, 2023;Thorland et al, 1981). Therefore, studies of sports-specific characteristics are essential.…”

Anthropometric Measurements, Physical Fitness Performance and Specific Throwing Strength in Adolescent Track-and-Field Throwers: Age, Sex and Sport Discipline

“…Scholars have progressively acknowledged the crucial significance of sport-specific anthropometric and physical measurement values in the realm of competency assessment [5,6]. Due to the specialized nature of the throwing motion, its fitness characteristics is significantly different from other sports [4,7], thus emphasizing the necessity of sport-specific characteristic studies. There have been some reports on the physiological and anthropometric characteristics of adult and elite athletes [8,9].…”