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Updated: Apr 18, 2026
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Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
Published on: July 27, 2022
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[Physical activity and biological maturation: a systematic review]
Eliane Denise Araújo Bacil1, Oldemar Mazzardo Júnior1, Cassiano Ricardo Rech2
1Universidade Federal do Paraná (UFPR), Curitiba, PR, Brasil.
Summary
Physical activity (PA) decreases with age in children and adolescents. While boys are more active, sex differences in PA disappear when controlling for biological age, suggesting a link between maturation and activity levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Endocrinology
- Sports Medicine
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- Understanding the relationship between physical activity (PA) and biological maturation is crucial for child and adolescent health.
- Previous research indicates potential links, but a comprehensive synthesis is needed.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and analyze the association between physical activity and biological maturation in children and adolescents.
- To explore how sex and maturational timing influence this relationship.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review of studies published in English, Portuguese, or Spanish.
- Searched electronic databases (PubMed/Medline, SportDiscus, Web of Science, Lilacs) without time restrictions.
- Included cross-sectional or longitudinal studies of schoolchildren aged 9-15 years.
Main Results:
- An inverse association was found between PA and biological maturation, with PA decreasing as biological and chronological age increase.
- Boys tend to be more physically active than girls, but this difference diminishes when biological age is controlled.
- The association between PA and maturational timing varies by sex, impacting PA tracking in early adolescent girls.
Conclusions:
- A significant relationship exists between physical activity and biological maturation in youth.
- PA declines with increasing biological age, irrespective of sex.
- The timing of biological maturation influences PA differently between boys and girls.
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