Do sexual maturation stages affect flexibility in adolescent boys aged 14 years?

Pubertal changes constitute a background for development of motor abilities and flexibility as an important component of physical fitness. The aim of the present study was to investigate whether the flexibility is actually related to sexual maturation stages in adolescent boys.

This cross-sectional study was conducted on 69 healthy boys aged 14 years. Before testing, all participants performed a 3 min warm up and static stretch routine, emphasizing the lower body. The flexibility tests were performed in a counterbalanced design. Sit-and-reach test and goniometric measurement of hamstring flexibility was administered. The results of flexibility tests and body measures were analysed for cross-sectional comparison. Groups were formed according to Tanner's classification and consisted of boys in Stage II, III, IV, V, respectively.

The results of sit and reach test scores and goniometric measurements did not correlate with age in months, height, weight and BMI; and furthermore they did not correlate with the sexual maturation stages (p>0.05). The sit and reach test scores were significantly correlated with goniometric measurements (right: r=0.653, p=0.00; left: r=0.638, p=0.00).

The results suggest that sexual maturation stages in pubertal period would not be effective in determining the flexibility. Besides, sexual maturation is not a cause of decreased flexibility in adolescent boys aged 14 years.