Early sport specialization: how and when to evaluate body build and composition predisposed to sport achievement
Journal Title: Antropomotoryka. Journal of Kinesiology and Exercise Sciences - Year 2013, Vol 23, Issue 62
Abstract
Children and youth are encouraged to select sport disciplines at ages younger than ever before. Body size, build, and composition indicate sport predispositions, but they change during childhood and adolescence. Somatic and physiological characteristics are strongly determined by genetic factors; however, during growth processes they present adaptational changes. The important matter is to connect the epigenetic impact with gene expressions. However, it is not obvious whether the response of the organism to exercise training has a positive consequence. Prior to adolescence, sex differences in the intensity of growth processes and motor skill development are minor. Adolescence starts earlier in girls (aged 10–11 years) than in boys (approximately 2 years later). During this time, boys gain more in height, weight, muscle mass and strength, and it is not possible for girls to compete against them in most sports. At the period of intensive growth of the long bones, the threat of injury should exclude youth from participation in collision sports. Sport success is closely related to maturity; therefore, identification of early- and late-maturing athletes is very important. Late-maturing individuals, at the same chronological age as early-maturing individuals, will face undue risk of injury due to slower and longer growth of bones and muscles. Once identified as an individual who is maturing more rapidly or more slowly, the child should have opportunity to compete against young athletes who are of similar maturity, not the same chronological age. Therefore, non-invasive indicators of maturity status should be established.
Authors and Affiliations
Anna Siniarska, Napoleon Wolański
Keywords
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