The growth velocity prediction using the sampled-transfer-function

The feasibility of using the sampled-transfer-function to predict the magnitude of peak velocity of human body height was investigated. A sampled-transfer-function for longitudinal growth data was established utilizing the input-output concept in system theory and the z-transform. A computer program was written to generate the predicted circumpubertal height velocities of an individual using his prepubertal height velocities as an input. The predicted results were compared with the actual results of 25 males selected from the Denver growth sample. The predicted magnitude of peak velocity for each individual using the transfer function was significantly better than the one using the mean valu