Annals of Human Biology (May 2020)

Patterns of physical performance spurts during adolescence: a cross-cultural study of Canadian, Brazilian and Portuguese boys

  • Eduardo Guimarães,
  • Adam D. G. Baxter-Jones,
  • Sara Pereira,
  • Fernando Garbeloto,
  • Duarte Freitas,
  • Manuel A. Janeira,
  • Go Tani,
  • Peter T. Katzmarzyk,
  • Simonete Silva,
  • Donald A. Bailey,
  • Robert L. Mirwald,
  • José Maia

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1080/03014460.2020.1781928
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 47, no. 4
pp. 346 – 354

Abstract

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Background Data relating physical performance to the timing of the adolescent growth spurt are limited. Aim: This study identifies: (i) age-at-peak height velocity (APHV), (ii) physical performance spurt patterns aligned to APHV; and (iii) cross-cultural and time patterns in Canadian, Brazilian and Portuguese boys. Subjects and methods: A total of 512 boys (131 Canadian, 250 Portuguese and 131 Brazilian), 8–17 years of age were followed serially using longitudinal data. APHV was identified and five physical performance measures velocities [trunk extension (TE), trunk flexion (TF), standing long jump (SLJ), curl-ups (CU) and handgrip strength (HG)] were aligned at 6-month intervals, 4 years around the attainment of PHV. Velocities were estimated using a non-smooth mathematical procedure. Results: APHV was 13.9 ± 1.0, 13.4 ± 1.6 and 13.0 ± 0.8 years for Canadian, Brazilian and Portuguese boys, respectively. Maximal velocity in SLJ was attained between 12 and 6 months prior to PHV. For HG, peaks were attained 12–24 months after PHV. Maximal velocity in TE occurred between 12 and 0 months prior to PHV, while CU peaked between PHV and 6 months after PHV. Conclusion: Patterns of spurts in physical performance have remained relatively the same and do not appear to be influenced by cross-cultural differences.

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