An Allometric Modelling Approach to Identify the Optimal Body Shape Associated with, and Differences between Brazilian and Peruvian Youth Motor Performance.

Simonete Silva,Alan Nevill,António Prista,José Maia,Peter T Katzmarzyk,Duarte Freitas,Alcibíades Bustamante

doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0149493

Abstract

Children from developed and developing countries differ in their body size and shape due to marked differences across their life history caused by social, economic and cultural differences which are also linked to their motor performance (MP). We used allometric models to identify size/shape characteristics associated with MP tests between Brazilian and Peruvian schoolchildren. A total of 4,560 subjects, 2,385 girls and 2,175 boys aged 9–15 years were studied. Height and weight were measured; biological maturation was estimated with the maturity offset technique; MP measures included the 12 minute run (12MR), handgrip strength (HG), standing long jump (SLJ) and the shuttle run speed (SR) tests; physical activity (PA) was assessed using the Baecke questionnaire. A multiplicative allometric model was adopted to adjust for body size differences across countries. Reciprocal ponderal index (RPI) was found to be the most suitable body shape indicator associated with the 12MR, SLJ, HG and SR performance. A positive maturation offset parameter was also associated with a better performance in SLJ, HG and SR tests. Sex differences were found in all motor tests. Brazilian youth showed better scores in MP than their Peruvian peers, even when controlling for their body size differences The current study identified the key body size associated with four body mass-dependent MP tests. Biological maturation and PA were associated with strength and motor performance. Sex differences were found in all motor tests, as well as across countries favoring Brazilian children even when accounting for their body size/shape differences.

Highlights

Human growth and motor performance (MP) are characterized by their extraordinary plasticity expressed in individual and population variation around the world [1]
Eveleth and Tanner [3], Tanner [4] and Beunen et al [5] suggested that associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnic background can twist the “picture” of human growth expressed by the 50th percentile, and that a social gradient in growth velocity parameters, biological maturation and attained size are likely to occur
The following allometric analyses will identify the optimal body size components associated with these MP tests, but they will be able to report the populations differences in MP having adjusted for the body-size differences in children between the two regions

Summary

Introduction

Human growth and motor performance (MP) are characterized by their extraordinary plasticity expressed in individual and population variation around the world [1]. Human growth and MP processes are viewed as endpoints of exposures to different environmental stimuli, namely geo-climatic, socioeconomic and cultural that shape the expression of individual genetic potential [2]. Eveleth and Tanner [3], Tanner [4] and Beunen et al [5] suggested that associations between socioeconomic status (SES) and ethnic background can twist the “picture” of human growth expressed by the 50th percentile, and that a social gradient in growth velocity parameters, biological maturation and attained size are likely to occur. Motor performance during the pubertal years is undoubtedly linked to body size and shape differences [6]. Differences in body size and shape are evident in children from developed and developing countries due to marked differences in their way of living induced by social, economic and cultural discrepancies [7]. Chowdhury et al [9] reported that 5–12 year old Santal children’s MP approximated the 1st percentile of normative data; marked SES gradients were observed in children from the same region of India

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