Height velocity and skeletal maturation in elite female rhythmic gymnasts

Rhythmic gymnasts performing under conditions of high intensity are exposed to particularly high levels of psychological stress and intense physical t raining, factors that can contribute to the observed delay in skeletal matu ration and pubertal development, and alter optimal growth. The study was conducted in the field, during the International, European, a nd World Rhythmic Sports Gymnastics Championships of the years 1997-2000, a nd included 104 elite female rhythmic gymnasts, aged 12-23 yr. The study in cluded height and weight measurements, estimation of body fat and skeletal maturation, and registration of parental height. Height, weight, target hei ght, and predicted adult height were expressed as the SD score of the mean height and weight for age, according to Tanner's standards. Gymnasts were taller and thinner than average for age, with height velocity SD score for each age group above the 50(th) percentile for all age groups (n = 140, mean = 1.9 +/- 2.5). Interestingly, although height velocity in normal girls comes to an end by the age of 15, in our examined rhythmic gym nasts it continues up to the age of 18. There was a delay of skeletal maturation of 1.8 yr (n = 72, r = 0.730, P < 0.001), compensated by an acceleration of height velocity toward the end of puberty. The final adult height was identical to the estimated predicted height at f irst evaluation, and significantly higher than the genetically determined t arget height (n = 35, r = 0.58, P < 0.001), denoting that genetic predispos ition to final height is not only achieved, but even exceeded. Using multiple regression analysis, target height was the only independent parameter that has been proven to influence positively the height velocity SD score (b = 0.233, t = 2.215, P = 0.029), denoting that;genetic predispos ition remains the main driving force for the observed efficient catch up gr owth. In conclusion, the elite rhythmic gymnasts compensate for their loss of pub ertal growth spurt by a late acceleration of linear growth. Despite the del ay in skeletal maturation, genetic predisposition of growth is not only pre served, but even exceeded.