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Growth and Maturation of Boys Active in Sports: Longitudinal Observations from the Wroclaw Growth Study
Robert M Malina1, Tadeusz Bielicki2
1Dept. of Kinesiology and Health Education at the University of Texas, Austin, TX 78712.
Abstract:
Based on information provided at a follow-up interview at age 27 of male participants in the Wroclaw Growth Study, 16 of 176 males (9.1 %) were identified as regularly active in sport during childhood, adolescence, and young adulthood. The Wroclaw Growth Study followed a large cohort of boys and girls from ages 8 through 18. Complete growth and maturation records from ages 8 through 18 were available for 13 of the 16 active boys. Mean ages at attaining several indicators of somatic, skeletal, and sexual maturity were generally earlier in the active boys. This would suggest that the sample of boys who were active in sport were advanced in biological maturation. The advanced maturity status of the active boys was also apparent in greater stature, weight, and biacromial breadth, especially during the pubertal years, while bicristal breadth and skinfolds did not differ from the longitudinal series.
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