Maturation Flashcards
Define growth
changes in body size, physique, proportions and composition
Define maturation
progress to adulthood, tempo or timing (skeletal, sexual, somatic, dental)
Define development
Qualitative changes in functional capacity (cognitive, emotional, social, motor)
How to measure maturity?
- Skeletal age
- 2ndary Sex Characteristics
- Age of menarche
- endocrine markers
- Somatic growth
What is Puberty?
Biological process by which a child’s body matures into adult form capable of sexual reproduction, accompanied by physical, hormonal, neurobiological and psycho-behavioural changes
When does Puberty occur?
Varies between and within sex, but girls typically mature two years in advance of boys
Explain the qualities that accompany early maturation in boys and when it typically occurs
- Typically occurs 10-11
- Greater gains in height, weight, muscle mass
- Mesomorphic physique
- High self esteem, socially skilled, confident, leaders
Explain the qualities that accompany late maturation in boys and when it typically occurs
- Typically occurs 13-14
- Lesser gains in height, weight, muscle and fat mass
- Tall and lean with longer legs and arms
- more likely to be Anxious, socially awkward
Explain the qualities that accompany early maturation in girls and when it typically occurs
- Typically 9-10yrs
- Greater pubertal gains in height, weight, BMI, absolute fat + muscle mass
- Endomorphic physique
- Lower self esteem, more introverted, depression, eating disorders, delinquency
Explain the qualities that accompany late maturation in girls
- Smaller pubertal gains in height, weight, BMI and absolute fat and muscle mass
- Extended childhood growth. Taller as adults.
- Actomorphic/Linear physique
- Confident, more positive self concept, extroverted
What did Malina et al 2004 say about maturation and sport selection?
-Athletes within sports/positions display similar maturation timing and physical characteristics. Sports/positions favour certain characteristics.
How does maturation timing affect selection for males in sport?
Early maturing males have an advantage due to being taller, heavier and having more muscle
How does maturation affect selection for females in sport?
Sports demanding size/strength/power select for early maturing
Sports demanding endurance/team sports select for late maturation
What are the direct effects of maturation on athlete selection?
- Physical changes associated with maturation result in superior performance and success
- Relative age effect
What are the indirect effects of maturation on athlete selection?
- Athlete’s interpretation of pubertal changes
- Social management of puberty
What did Malina et al 2004 find about he direct effects of maturation on selection when investigating an under 16s football squad?
Maturity predicts performance (20-50%) in Speed, Power and Aerobic Capacity
What is the relative age effect, as told by the Institute of Youth Sports in 2007?
Greater proportion of male athletes are born early in the school year. No RAE in females
What did Cumming et al 2011 say about the effect of early maturation on female athlete’s self concept?
-Early maturing female athletes feel less attractive, sports competent and physically fit, despite being stronger.
What did Monsma et al 2006 find about the effect of puberty/menarche on the self concept of female athletes?
-Post Menarcheal Figure skaters reported higher social physique anxiety, body dissatisfaction, and concerns about fatness. Less sport competence.
What is the effect of early maturation on males’ self concept?
Typically reports more positive self concept
What features are important for the formal selection of young gymnasts? (prioritised list)
- Morphology and Health
- Physical and Psychological Ability
- Response to instruction; physical improvement, psychological tolerance
- Formal training & Competition
According to Cumming et al 2005 what indirect effects do the importance of morphology have on young gymnasts?
-Taller, heavier gymnasts perceive coaches to be less encouraging and instructive, more punitive, more likely to ignore mistakes, and are less likeable
What is the process of selection that mitigates the issue of different maturation rates proposed by Cumming et al 2017?
Biobanding
What is biobanding?
Process of matching players by size/weight in competition to mitigate the age and maturity bias
