Journal Article

GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT AND ATHLETIC PERFORMANCE/RAST IN RAZVOJ TER USPESNOST V SPORTU

Cameron, Noël

2014

Overview

The pattern of linear growth experienced by all children is characterised by rapid growth during infancy, relatively constant growth during childhood, and then accelerated growth during the adolescent growth spurt prior to reaching adult maturity and the cessation of growth in length. Whilst this is a universal pattern it demonstrates a considerable degree of sexual dimorphism generally favouring early growth and maturation in girls and delay in boys. The pattern of linear growth is also not common in all tissues. In particular, soft tissues that are associated with fine and gross motor skills and coordination, cognitive ability, strength, endurance, and other aspects of athletic performance follow patterns that may be associated with but are less predictable than growth in length. The development of athletic performance during childhood and adolescence will thus be strongly influenced not only by growth in size and increasing complexity of the nervous system but also by rates of maturational change and sexual dimorphism.

• Publisher: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport