Individual variation in the sequence of ages at peak velocity in seven body dimensions.

Abstract

Seven body dimensions of 35 Japanese children, 15 boys and 20 girls, were measured longitudinally at six-monthly intervals from 9 through 15 years of age. Spline curves were fitted to each dimension to obtain age at peak velocity and magnitude of peak velocity for each child. Ages at peak velocity for the seven dimensions were chronologically arranged within each individual, and the arrangement was labeled "sequence." Kendall's rank order correlation coefficients among average and individual sequences were calculated to determine whether there was a regular order among individuals in ages at peak velocity of the seven dimensions. There were no sex differences in average sequences, but there was considerable variation among individual sequences. © 1994 Wiley-Liss, Inc.