Controlling Performance and Physiological Parameters for Body Size and Inter-individual Variability due to Biological Maturation during Adolescent Growth Spurt

Abstract

-1 min -1 ). Fat-free mass, body surface area and stature are also used as denominators. However, issues related to the validity of estimates of fat free mass and body surface area need to be considered if these variables are used as denominators. For example, 54% and 52% of the variance in anaerobic mean and peak power obtained with the Wingate test (WAnT) was predicted by biological maturation, body mass and leg length in Portuguese adolescent basketball players aged 14-16 years. Biological maturation was expressed as the ratio of skeletal age (SA) to chronological age (CA) (1). The WAnT performance is often reported in Watt per unit of body mass or per unit of thigh volume. Ratio standards, isometry and elastic similarity Simple ratio standards (mL kg -1 min -1 ; W kg -1 ; W L -1 ) have been strongly criticised (2,3). Expressing functions relative to anthropometric dimensions is meant to control for inter-individual variability in body size and is based on the assumption of geometric similarity. The ratios rely on the assumption that variables expressed as the ratio are linearly related, but the assumption can be erroneous. Although ratio standards are commonly used to control for the effects of body size on performance, other methods provide plausible alternatives. Relationships among length, surface area and volume have implications for metabolism and thermoregulation. All linear anthropometric dimensions of the body, such as stature, segment lengths, and breadths have the dimension d. All areas including body surface area and muscle cross-sectional areas have the dimension d 2 . Total body volume given by air displacement plethysmography and other volumes (lung, heart, lower limb) have the dimension d 3