Is growth inhibited in non-elite competitive female gymnasts?
conference contribution
posted on 2003-01-01, 00:00authored byD Caine, Robin DalyRobin Daly, Shona Bass, K Knutzen
PURPOSE We asked: 1) is statural growth inhibited in non-elite competitive female gymnasts?; and 2) if growth is reduced, is the effect similar for legs and spine?
METHODS Height(Ht), sitting height(StHt) and leg length(LL) were measured in gymnasts and controls at baseline and every 12 mths for 2 yrs. Pubertal status was assessed by Tanner stage. Gymnasts were from USGF levels 4–10 and trained 7.5 to 22.5 hrs/wk. Age-adjusted Z-scores were determined for gymnasts on the anthropometric measures and based on linear regression analyses of data for 45 controls.
RESULTS At baseline, pre-(N=40), peri-(N=16) and post-pubertal(N=11) gymnasts were shorter than controls(-0.9 to -1.3 SD, p < 0.01). In pre- and peri-pubertal gymnasts, this was due to a reduction in StHt (-0.8 to -1.3 SD) and LL (-0.8 to -1.1 SD)(p < 0.01). In post-pubertal gymnasts, StHt (-0.8 SD) was reduced (p < 0.05). No differences were observed in z-score deficits between pubertal groups, nor were there any differences in StHt and LL deficits. During 12 mths follow-up in 39 gymnasts, deficits in Ht z-scores were reduced further in pre-pubertal gymnasts (-0.2 SD, p < 0.001) due to a greater increase in the deficit in LL (-0.3 SD, p < 0.001). While the magnitude of z-score deficits for peri-pubertal gymnasts remained unchanged, Ht z-scores improved in post-pubertal gymnasts(+0.2SD, p < 0.05) due primarily to an increase in StHt (+0.4 SD, p < 0.01). Similar results were found in 16 gymnasts followed for 2 yrs.
CONCLUSION Although small size may relate to self-selection for gymnastics, some non-elite female gymnasts may experience attenuated growth during early puberty due mainly to reduced leg growth. The increased growth observed in post-pubertal gymnasts is consistent with catch-up growth associated with delayed maturation.
History
Event
Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Annual Meeting (2003 : San Francisco, Calif.)
Pagination
204 - 204
Publisher
Lippincott Williams & Wilkins
Location
San Francisco, Calif.
Place of publication
San Francisco, Calif.
Start date
2003-05-28
End date
2003-05-31
Language
eng
Notes
Extract published in : Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise Issue: Volume 35(5) Supplement 1, May 2003,p.S204.
Publication classification
E3 Extract of paper
Copyright notice
2003, The American College of Sports Medicine
Title of proceedings
MSSE 2003 : Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise : Abstract Issue