Body proportions, body composition and pubertal development of children incompetitive sports

The aim of this study was primarily to investigate anthropometric variables , body composition and pubertal development in children aged 9-13 participa ting in competitive sports. Secondly, the influence of age, sport, training hours and pubertal development/maternal menarcheal age on body composition and pubertal development was explored. A total of 183 (96 girls, 87 boys) children performing swimming (Sw), tennis (Te), European team handball (TH) , and gymnastics (Gy) took part in the study. Anthropometric measurements a nd pubertal development were determined. The participants completed a quest ionnaire regarding hours of training per week and maternal menarcheal age. Significant differences in stature (z-scores) were found in both boys(Sw 0. 06; Te=0.04; TH=0.05; Gy -0.66, P<0.004) and girls (Sw 0.12; Te=0.19; TH=0. 25; Gy=-0.96, P<0.004). In girls, sum of skinfolds in millimetres (Sw=33.4; Te=33.3; TH=41.0; Gy= 27.2, P<0.02) and body mass index z-scores (SW=0.00; Te=-0.27; TH=0.35; Gy -0.25, P<0.001) mere different between the sports. A regression analysis revealed that in girls, age and maternal menarcheal ag e were significantly associated with pubertal development (P<0.005 and P<0. 01), respectively, and sport was associated with the sum of skinfolds (P<0. 05). In boys, only age was significantly associated with pubertal developme nt (P<0.005). In conclusion, anthropometric and body composition difference s exist in athletes of both sexes from different sports but are more eviden t in females. Most importantly, we did not find any effect of training on b ody composition or pubertal development, confirming previous data that chil dren in competitive sports are selected due to constitutional factors.