The influence of dance training on growth and maturation of young females: A mixed longitudinal study

• Published in: Annals of human biology 2006-05, Vol.33 (3), p.342-356
• Main Authors: Matthews, Bernadette L., Bennell, Kim L., Mckay, Heather A., Khan, Karim M., Baxter-Jones, Adam D. G., Mirwald, Robert L., Wark, John D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body Composition - physiology; Body Height - physiology; Body Weight - physiology; Case-Control Studies; Child; Child Development - physiology; dancing; Dancing - physiology; excercise; Female; girls; Growth; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; maturation; Menarche - physiology; Surveys and Questionnaires
• ISSN: 0301-4460; 1464-5033
• DOI: 10.1080/03014460600635951

Background: The effects of systematic sports training during childhood and adolescence on subsequent growth and sexual maturation remains in dispute. Aim: The study aimed to determine whether moderate-high volumes of dance training adversely influence linear growth and sexual maturation of young girls progressing through puberty. Subjects and methods: This 3-year mixed longitudinal study comprised 82 novice dancers and 61 controls, aged 8-11 years at baseline, who were assessed bi-annually for 3 consecutive years. A biological maturational age was determined by estimating attainment of age at peak height velocity (PHV). Body dimensions were measured by anthropometry, and exercise levels, nutritional intake and age at menarche by questionnaires. Results: Controls had significantly greater unadjusted height velocity than dancers 1 year before PHV, however there was no difference between groups in age of attainment of PHV. When controlling for maturation, lean mass, fat mass and extracurricular sport (excluding dancing), there were no group differences in absolute growth or velocity of growth in height, sitting height or leg length. Within the dancers there were no effects of years of dancing (>6.5 years) or weekly dance hours (>7 h per week) on growth velocities. No association was found between age at menarche and years or hours of dance training. Conclusion: Results suggest that moderate-high levels of dance training do not affect linear growth and maturation. Thus, girls should not be discouraged from dance participation on the basis of potential growth delays. Résumé. Arrière plan: On reste partagé sur les effets que l'entraînement sportif systématique pendant l'enfance et l'adolescence, peut avoir sur la croissance et sur la maturation sexuelle. Objectif: L'étude cherche à savoir si l'entraînement moyen ou intensif à la danse, influence négativement la croissance linéaire et la maturation sexuelle des filles en cours de puberté. Sujets et méthodes: Cette étude semi longitunale de trois ans impliquait 82 danseuses novices et 61 contrôles, âgées de 8 à 11 ans au départ, qui ont été examinées deux fois par an pendant trois années consécutives. Un âge de maturation biologique a été déterminé en estimant à quel âge survenait la croissance staturale de pic (CSP). Les dimensions corporelles ont été mesurées par anthropométrie et les niveaux d'activité physique, ainsi que l'alimentation et l'âge aux premières règles, ont été renseignés par questionnaires. Résul