Sex Differences in Growth and Performance of Track and Field Athletes 11-15 Years

• Authors: Robert Malina , Teresa Sławinska , Zofia Ignasiak , Krystyna Rożek , Katarzyna Kochan , Jarosław Domaradzki , Jarosław Fugiel
• Languages of publication: EN

Abstracts

EN

Objective: To evaluate sex differences in functional performances of youth track and field athletes.Methods: Four tests of functional capacity were administered to 309 youth 11-15 years training for track and field at sport schools, 136 boys and 173 girls. Grip strength, standing long jump, 2 kg medicine ball throw and 20 m sprint were measured; height, weight and adiposity were also. Two age groups were compared, 11-13 and 14-15 years. ANCOVA was used to test sex differences by age group in the total sample (disciplines combined) and specific disciplines; age, height and weight were covariates.Results: For the total sample, males in both age groups performed better than females in the four tests but sex differences were greater among 14-15 year olds. Within disciplines, sex differences among sprinters and middle distance and distance runners were greater at 14-15 years. Results varied for general athletics; the magnitude of sex differences was similar for strength in both age groups, greater for the throw at 11-13 years and greater for the jump and sprint at 14-15 years.Conclusion: Although sex differences in performance were apparent among athletes 11-13 years, they were greater among athletes 14-15 years, reflecting to a large extent the male adolescent spurt in body size, muscle mass, strength and power. Sex differences were more established in sprinters and middle distance and distance runners, and more variable in participants in general athletics.

Keywords

EN

athletics; power; strength; speed; youth sports

• Publisher: De Gruyter Open
• Journal: Journal of Human Kinetics
• Year: 2010
• Volume: 24
• Pages: 79-85

Dates

published

1 - 1 - 2010

online

21 - 6 - 2010

Contributors

author

Robert Malina

• Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin

author

Teresa Sławinska

• Department of Biostructure, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland

author

Zofia Ignasiak

• Department of Biostructure, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland

author

Krystyna Rożek

• Department of Physiotherapy in Internal Diseases, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland

author

Katarzyna Kochan

• Department of Biostructure, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland

author

Jarosław Domaradzki

• Department of Biostructure, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland

author

Jarosław Fugiel

• Department of Biostructure, University School of Physical Education, Wrocław, Poland

References

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• Malina RM, Rożek K, Ignasiak Z, Sławinska T, Fugiel J, Kochan K, et al. Growth and functional characteristics of male athletes 11-15 years of age. Hum Movement, 2010, under review.
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Identifiers

DOI

10.2478/v10078-010-0023-4