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The assessment of biological maturation is a central topic in pediatric exercise sciences. Skeletal age (SA) reflects changes in each bone of the hand and wrist from initial ossification to the adult state. This study examined intra-observer and inter-examiner agreement is Greulich-Pyle (GP) assessments of SA in 97 male tennis players 8.6–16.8 years of age. Two observers independently examined all films on two occasions using the GP method. The SA of each bone was evaluated. The mean and median of SAs assigned for each bone was the individual SA for each participant. The calculation was exclusively based on the bones that were not skeletally mature. Intra-observer mean differences were significant for several bones with better results by the experienced examiner (observer B). Comparisons between SA values of the two independent observers indicated significant differences for the ulna, metacarpals II and III, and distal phalanx V. Nevertheless, the magnitude of the bone-specific differences was small, perhaps trivial. Differences in individual SA values of the tennis players based on the non-mature bones of the hand-wrist were negligible based on the mean (0.04±0.39, t = 0.321, p = 0.749) or the median (0.05±0.58, t = 0.007, p = 0.994). Nevertheless, the current study confirmed examiners as a source of error in the estimation of SA using the Greulich-Pyle method and highlighted the importance of calculating SAs based on non-mature bones among adolescent players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To track body size and proportions, arm dimensions and grip strength in children, adolescents, and adults resident in an indigenous community in Oaxaca who were measured on two or three occasions across surveys in 1968, 1978, and 2000. Methods: The three cross‐sectional surveys included measures of height, weight, sitting height, arm circumference, triceps skinfold, and grip strength in surveys of schoolchildren in 1968 and of schoolchildren, adolescents and adults in 1978 and 2000. Cross‐checks of surnames, forenames and ages/dates of birth of participants in the three surveys identified three samples of individuals measured on two occasions (1968–1978, two age groups in 1978–2000) and a subsample of individuals measured in the three surveys. Partial correlations controlling for age at each observation were calculated for each variable in the three sex‐specific samples measured on two occasions, and for the subsamples of males and females measured on three occasions. Results: Allowing for variation in age among subsamples, inter‐age correlations were moderate to high for stature, moderate for sitting height and estimated leg length, and low to moderate for weight, BMI, arm and estimated arm muscle circumference, triceps skinfold, and grip strength. Conclusion: Allowing for the relatively broad chronological age intervals, the inter‐age correlations for height, weight and BMI were at the low end, while those for grip strength and for strength per unit body weight for males (though not females) were generally in the range of correlations noted in studies of European samples. Likely associated with improved health, nutritional, and sanitation conditions, obesity and overweight were emerging among adults by 2000. Obesity and overweight in adults paralleled the introduction of mechanized agriculture that reduced routine physical work. Among children, the association of obesity and overweight is likely with increased nutritional availability, but poor choices in diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The aim of this research was to evaluate changes in body composition, adipokine levels, and dyslipidemia parameters in males with abdominal obesity following two distinct interventions: exercise alone and exercise combined with an ad libitum diet. Methods: This study included 44 males with abdominal obesity (mean age 34.7 ± 5.5 years, waist circumference [WC] 110.3 ± 8.5, BMI 32.0 ± 3.9), who were randomly assigned to three groups: an experimental group engaging in aerobic-resistance exercise (II, n = 16), an experimental group engaging in aerobic-resistance exercise combined with an ad libitum high-protein, low-glycemic index carbohydrate diet (III, n = 16), both interventions lasting 6 weeks, and a control group without interventions (I, n = 12). Body composition metrics (body mass index [BMI], waist circumference [WC], body fat [BF], abdominal fat [ABD]) and fat-free mass [FFM], along with biochemical blood analyses (irisin [IR], omentin [OMEN], glucose [GLU], insulin [INS], LDL- and HDL-cholesterol), were measured at baseline and after the 6-week intervention. The effects of the interventions on the analyzed variables across groups were assessed using mixed ANOVA tests with post-hoc comparisons. Effect size (ES) was also calculated using partial eta squared (ηp2). Results: The intervention in group III resulted in a significant decrease in IR (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.03) by 41% and LDL-C (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.02) by 14%. These effects were associated with a reduction in BF (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.02) by 14%, ABD (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.03) by 31%, and WC (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.01) by 3%. In group II, decreases after 6 weeks of intervention were noted only in WC (p = 0.02, ηp2 = 0.01) by 1% and in INS (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.04) by 47%. No differences were found between groups. The use of low-glycemic index carbohydrates (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.06) and increased protein intake (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.30) led to changes in the fiber-to-energy value of the diet ratio (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.18) and a reduction in dietary energy value (p < 0.01, ηp2 = 0.13) by 23%, resulting in a greater energy deficit than in the II group. Conclusions: These findings highlight the effect of combining dietary and exercise interventions to achieve significant changes in body composition and metabolic parameters, even over a short period of intervention. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Age at peak height velocity (APHV) is an indicator of maturity timing which is applicable to both sexes, and which is influenced by environmental factors. The objective of this study was to assess variation in APHV associated with several indicators of socioeconomic status (SES) in a longitudinal sample of Polish adolescents. The sample included 739 boys born in 1983 and followed annually from 12 to 16 years, and 597 girls born in 1985 and followed annually from 9 to 13 years. The height records were fitted with the SITAR model to estimate APHV. SES was estimated using principal component analysis of indicators of familial status based on parental education, family size, living conditions and household possessions. Statistical analyses included analysis of variance (one‐way for general SES and three‐way for parental education and family size) and Tukey post‐hoc tests for unequal samples. General SES (p <.001) and family size (p <.05) significantly influenced APHV among boys, while only maternal education (p <.05) significantly influenced APHV among girls. Among youth from families of higher SES, as defined by the respective indicators, APHV was attained significantly earlier, on average, than in peers from families of lower SES. Overall, the results showed a sex‐dependent effect of SES on APHV, and highlighted the influence of favorable socioeconomic conditions for optimal growth and maturation during adolescence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Lifestyles of contemporary children are largely organised with relatively little time for free play. Aim: To compare the growth, maturity status, motor proficiency and physical fitness of non-participants and participants in organised sports 7–10 years. Subjects and methods: Height, weight, skeletal age (SA), physical activity, fundamental motor skills, motor coordination and fitness were assessed in 234 boys and 235 girls. Sex-specific comparisons of the characteristics of sport participants and non-participants 7–8 and 9–10 years were evaluated with Student's t and Mann–Whitney U tests. Results: Boys and girls in each age group active in sport had significantly higher levels of sport-related physical activity. At 7–8 years, boys active in sport were significantly taller and heavier than peers not active in sport, while girls not active in sport performed significantly better in ball rolling and balance. At 9–10 years, boys active in sport were more proficient in catching, while girls active in sport were more proficient in hopping and side-to-side jumping. Conclusion: SA and performances among children 7–10 years active and not active in sport were largely non-significant statistically, while those active in sport were physically more active. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Motor performances of youth are related to growth and maturity status, among other factors. Aim: To estimate the contribution of skeletal maturity status per se to the motor performances of female athletes aged 10–15 years and the mediation effects of growth status on the relationships. Subjects and methods: Skeletal age (TW3 RUS SA), body size, proportions, estimated fat-free mass (FFM), motor performances, training history and participation motivation were assessed in 80 non-skeletally mature female participants in several sports. Hierarchical and regression-based statistical mediation analyses were used. Results: SA per se explained a maximum of 1.8% and 5.8% of the variance in motor performances of athletes aged 10–12 and 13–15 years, respectively, over and above that explained by covariates. Body size, proportions, and hours per week of training and participation motivation explained, respectively, a maximum of 40.7%, 18.8%, and 22.6% of the variance in performances. Mediation analysis indicated specific indirect effects of SA through stature and body mass, alone or in conjunction with FFM on performances. Conclusion: SA per se accounted for small and non-significant amounts of variance in several motor performances of female youth athletes; rather, SA influenced performances indirectly through effects on stature, body mass and estimated FFM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate secular change in body size and weight status of adult Indian males born in 1891–1957 and surveyed in the 1970s. Methods: Data are from Anthropological Surveys. Only men were included in the surveys due to high female illiteracy and lack of female researchers. Indian society was also strongly conservative at the time, especially in rural areas, and the measurement of women by men was not permitted. Heights and weights of 43 950 males 18–84 years (born 1891–1957) were measured. The BMI was calculated; weight status of individuals was classified relative to WHO criteria and suggested criteria for the Asia‐Pacific region. Heights of men 35+ years were also adjusted for age‐related stature loss. Trends in measured and adjusted heights, body weight and the BMI, and in weight status were evaluated by age groups. Linear regression of measured height and adjusted height on year of birth was used to estimate secular effects. Results: Mean heights declined slightly with age to 50 years and declined sharply through 60+ years, while mean weights increased into the 40s and then declined. Mean BMIs were relatively stable from 30 to 60 years. The prevalence of thinness and normal weight was high, while that of overweight and obesity was low. Regression analyses indicated limited secular change across the total range of birth years but suggested a decline in adjusted heights among men born in 1891 through the 1930s, and little change among men born subsequently. Conclusions: Age‐related trends and results of the regression analyses by year of birth indicated negligible secular change in heights of Indian men 18–84 years born between 1891 and 1957. BMIs indicated a high prevalence of thinness and normal weight and low prevalence of overweight and obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Growth and maturation are central concerns in the organization of training and competitions in youth sports. This study examined maturity-associated variation in body size and adiposity among adolescent girls participating in competitive age group youth soccer. The sample included 441 players 10.08-16.73 years of age. Stature and body mass were measured and body composition was predicted. The Fels method was used to estimate skeletal age. Skeletally maturity status (late, average or early maturing) was based on the difference between chronological and skeletal age for each player. Mean stature approximated the 50th percentiles of the general population in all competitive age groups, while mean weight fluctuated between 50th and 75th percentiles. Age- and maturity-specific means for estimated fat mass ranged between 18.0% and 28.2%. The number of players classified as skeletally mature increased with competitive age groups (under-13: 0%; under-15: 8%; under-17: 49%). In general, early maturing girls tended to be heavier than their age group peers and especially when compared to late maturing players. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]