Classifying children for sports participation based upon anthropometric measurement

Abstract

Purpose: This study proposes a classification system for youth sports that is maturation-based, using the anthropometric prediction of vertical jump impulse potential. Methods: Impulse was calculated for children between 8.0 and 17.9 years of age from vertical jump height [I = m × (2 gh)0.5] in a truncated version of the Coquitlam Growth Study database. A series of stepwise regressions was performed for each gender, predicting impulse scores from 32 anthropometric variables, height, body mass, and chronological age. Results: Equations were developed that accounted for differences in muscle tissue development while utilizing variables easily measured in both males and females, including age, and measures of height, forearm girth, and calf girth. Conclusion: Using restricted ranges of impulse scores, males and females can be classed into appropriate groups for competition and sport, competing together through the age of 13. Beyond the age of 14, females have a similar capacity to generate impulse and could compete in one group, while restricted impulse categories would be useful for males until the age of 18 years.