Effects of physical changes during puberty on sports performance

AL Gondi

Physical changes during puberty can affect the participation of boys and girls in sports in different ways.

During pubertal growth spurt, the physical difference between children, particularly boys of the same age, can be dramatic and is a key consideration during choice of appropriate sport.

There are some boys who experience early maturation and begin pubertal growth earlier than other boys of the same age.

They, therefore, have a transient physical advantage over their peers since they will be taller, heavier and stronger over a period of time.

This, however, does not mean they have superior ability and talent. This only indicates that during pre-adolescence training, the sports programes were a success.

However, it can lead to unrealistic expectation that the athletes will continue to be outstanding in sports if it is not realised that the success registered is due to advanced physical maturity rather than exceptional skills in sports.

Proper Perspective

The sports potential of these boys should be kept in a proper perspective. Attempts should therefore be made for them to compete against boys of similar maturational status.

Similarly, late maturing boys may experience temporary physical disadvantage in sports. This again should not be considered as lack of talent or ability. Late maturing boys may have a more positive experience when they get involved in sports and placed according to size and strength.

Sports such as football and basketball should be postponed for this group.

Instead, participation should be encouraged in sports with less emphasis on physical size such as martial arts, wrestling and certain track events.

The case is different in girls where onset of puberty can be associated with physical changes that can lead to declining performance in sports.

Almost the entire weight gain that occurs in girls at puberty is due increase in body fat when there is no significant increase in muscle mass.

It should therefore be noted that decline in sports performance in girls entering puberty may be due to the increase in body fats rather than lack of motivation, effort or talent.

The coaches, parents, and girls should therefore be made to understand and accept physical changes during puberty.

Excessive Dieting

Attempts to prevent these physical changes can lead to excessive dieting and consequently, eating disorders.

The association of disordered eating, amenorrhea (late periods) and osteoporosis (low bone density) is described in sports medicine as the female athletes’ triad.

These are the conditions in which female athletes are at great risk. There is increase in body fat in pubertal stage and leg alignment that predisposes the girls to overuse injuries, particularly of the lower extremities.

These injuries can be prevented through proper evaluation and treatment. In addition, girls entering puberty have particularly high risk of dropping out of sports and other physical activities.

Therefore, guidance should be done well in advance to prevent this attitude in sports. Next Sunday we will discuss how delayed onset of periods affects girls during puberty in sports.