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A. Kaur1, M. Takeda2, B. Singh2
1Loma Linda University, Loma Linda, United States, 2California State University, Department of Physical Therapy, Fresno Clovis, United States
Background: Maturity assessment is an important consideration when dealing with adolescents for youth sports stratification. Adjusted age based on calculated maturity offset have been reported in previous studies, however, evaluation of gender differences regarding the degree of maturity offset in this population is lacking.
Purpose: The purpose of this study is to determine if there are significant differences between maturity offset and strength levels between gender in obese and overweight adolescents. It was hypothesized that boys will have a higher maturity offset and stronger lower extremity strength as compared to the girls.
Methods: University Institutional Review Board approved the research study. 28 children (14 girls) aged 8-11 years with BMI above 95th percentile volunteered for the study. Height and sitting height were measured to the nearest mm using a wall tape measure and, body mass to the nearest 0.1 kg using Kistler force plates. Leg length was measured from greater trochanter to lateral malleolus using a tape measure. Right lower limb isometric strength was assessed, with the hip and knee at 90-degree flexion, using custom leg press machine. Validated peak height velocity, maturity equations used leg length, sitting height, age and weight by height ratio to calculate maturity offset for boys and girls.
Paired t-tests (p<0.05) were performed to determine differences in anthropometrics and maturity offset between boys and girls. Regression analysis was performed to determine association between strength and maturity measures. SPSS was used for statistical analysis.
Paired t-tests (p<0.05) were performed to determine differences in anthropometrics and maturity offset between boys and girls. Regression analysis was performed to determine association between strength and maturity measures. SPSS was used for statistical analysis.
Results: Descriptive data are presented as mean values and standard deviations. Both groups had similar age with girls aged 10.3 +/- 0.9 and boys aged 10.1 +/- 1.1 years. The height (1.48+/- 0.1 m) for girls was similar to boys (1.49+/- 0.08 m) and weight was similar for both groups (59.32+/-17.1 kg for girls and 61.4+/-17.8 kg for boys) (p-value 0.7). The BMI was same for girls and boys (p-value 0.83). The average maturity index using the above equations were positive for girls (0.06+/- 0.9) while it was negative for boys (-0.19 +/- 1.6) but there was no statistical difference between the two groups (p-value 0.6). The right lower extremity strength (50.7+/- 15.3 N) for girls was similar to boys (59.26+/- 21.2 N). There was a weak correlation between strength and maturity levels for both girls (R2 = 0.007) and boys (R2 = 0.02).
Conclusion(s): There were no differences between maturity levels of boys and girls as reported by peak height velocity. The height, weight, BMI, strength values were not statistically different between aged matched gender groups. No significant relationship was found between strength and the maturity levels suggesting maturity was not an issue in the current population.
Implications: This may have implications for response during clinical and sports evaluations in overweight and obese children especially when adolescent boys are assumed to have maturity and strength differences as compared to adolescent girls.
Funding, acknowledgements: College of Health and Human Services, California State University, Frenso
Keywords: Childhood Obesity, Maturity, Development
Topic: Paediatrics
Did this work require ethics approval? Yes
Institution: California State University, Fresno
Committee: College of Health and Human Services
Ethics number: 933
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
