Growth, Maturation, and Physical Fitness

Abstract

This chapter outlines the methods to assess growth and maturation. Biological maturation varies with the biological system that is selected and comprises the assessment of sexual, morphological, dental, or skeletal maturation. The chapter describes how measures of physical fitness and performance are impacted by growth and maturation. It also outlines the methods used to examine body weight status and composition. The chapter examines laboratory-based testing protocols to determine and interpret aerobic and anaerobic fitness in children and adolescents. Although more commonly used in the research setting, laboratory-based measures of physical fitness in children and adolescents have typically focused on developing protocols to measure aerobic and anaerobic fitness. Three of the key parameters of aerobic fitness are: maximal oxygen uptake, blood lactate threshold, and oxygen cost of exercise. The chapter presents field-based testing batteries for measuring physical fitness in children and adolescents.