Maturational Age: Impact on Body Composition and Muscle Strength in Adolescent Athletes

Introduction: Maturational status influences in physical and athletic performance, within the same chronological age group, early maturers may outperform late maturers in body composition and strength tests. The correlation of maturational status with body composition and muscle strength could estimate differences in physical performance among adolescents. Objective: to analyze the impact of maturational age on body composition and muscle strength in adolescent athletes from San Luis. Methodology: a descriptive, analytical, quantitative, correlational cross-sectional Study. Sample: N=201 adolescents of both sexes, from 14 to 19 years old from San Luis. The maturational status and body composition (BC) were assessed anthropometrically by ISAK protocol, grip strength (Handgrip) was measured with a dynamometer and lower limb strength by Bosco´s Protocol (CMJ). The data were tabulated with SPSS22 Software, and Pearson's correlation was performed with a significance level of p<0,005. Results: a very significant correlation (p<0,001) was observed between Peak Height Velocity (PHV) and kilograms of muscle, fat, bone, skinfold sum and CMJ; a significant correlation (p<0,0018) for Handgrip. Conclusion: The results suggest a significant correlation between PHV age, body composition and muscle strength that could have an impact on athletic performance of adolescents from San Luis-Argentine.