The contribution of pubertal development to performance scores in high-level rhythmic gymnasts

Abstract

Background: Puberty is a central process in the complex set of changes that constitutes the transition from childhood to adolescence. This period of maturation is characterized by a growth spurt which affects virtually the whole skeleton and muscles and thus affecting children’s motor performance. Objective: The present study investigated the role of pubertal status in predicting success in rhythmic gymnasts’ (RGs) performance. Methods: One hundred and twenty-six national- and international-level RGs (age: 11.95 ± 3.09 years, body height: 147.76 ± 14.61 cm, body mass: 37.75 ± 11.72 kg, BMI: 16.79 ± 2.26 kg/m2, menarcheal age: 13.57 ± 1.18 years, training experience: 5.88 ± 2.79 years), divided into five age group categories, volunteered to participate in the study. A self-assessment was used for the estimation of the stages of sexual maturity of their breasts and axillary hair development (i.e. Tanner method), whereas the data on RGs menarche were collected by the means of interviewing. Results: Regression analysis showed that axillary hair development was the only independent parameter that had a positive influence on RGs’ performance scores (b = 1.693, p =.03, advanced RGs), but overall RGs’ pubertal development had a statistically significant influence on their performance [R =.37, R2 =.14, F(3, 122) = 6.475, p