Abstract
Lower limb explosive strength has been widely used to evaluate physical fitness and general health in children. A plethora of studies have scoped the practicality of the standing broad jump (SBJ), though without accounting for body dimensions, which are tremendously affected by growth. This study aimed at modeling SBJ-specific allometric equations, underlying an objectively predictive approach while controlling for maturity offset (MO). A total of 7317 children (8–11 years) were tested for their SBJs; demographics and anthropometrics data were also collected. The multiplicative model with allometric body size components, MO, and categorial differences were implemented with SBJ performance. The log-multiplicative model suggested that the optimal body shape associated with SBJs is ectomorphic (H = −0.435; M = 1.152). Likewise, age, sex, and age–sex interactions were revealed to be significant (p < 0.001). Our results confirmed the efficacy of the allometric approach to identify the most appropriate body size and shape in children. Males, as they mature, did not significantly augment their performances, whereas females did, outperforming their peers. The model successfully fit the equation for SBJ performance, adjusted for age, sex, and MO. Predictive equations modeled on developmental factors are needed to interpret appropriately the performances that are used to evaluate physical fitness.
Highlights
The relevance of muscular strength and power is well recognized in human performance [1,2] and contributes to bone health across different age groups [3]
The explosive strength expressed by the standing broad jump (SBJ) revealed a mean value (SD) of 128.29 cm (22.76) and unknown parameters of the log-transformed model: 121.17 cm (21.49), while the maturity offset (MO) was, on average, 3.36 y (0.72) and 6.35 y (0.44) for boys and girls, respectively
This study aimed to investigate SBJ performance according to a robust scaling in which height and body mass are objectively valued, considering their actual trends owing to peak high velocity (PHV) assessment as a crucial individual factor of all physical performances
Summary
The relevance of muscular strength and power is well recognized in human performance [1,2] and contributes to bone health across different age groups [3]. Sci. 2020, 10, 6430 metabolic profiles, independent of cardiorespiratory fitness [3]. Muscular power (or explosive strength, as it is known in practical context) should be measured in lab settings [6], yielding valid values of muscular outcomes. Sometimes this may lack feasibility, and field tests like the standing broad jump (SBJ) are preferable, since they are recognized as acceptable alternatives to lab assessments [7]. Musculoskeletal fitness evaluation may enrich individual feedback to students and athletes, providing comparisons to international references on performance and health
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