Young female athletes short by selection not training
22 February 2002
Intense physical training in female athletes may not stunt growth and delay maturation as many people think.
UK researchers believe 'nature rather than nurture' is responsible for differences in stature and maturation between athletes and non-athletes (British Journal of Sports Medicine 2002;36:13-15).
'It is more likely that young athletes select themselves, or are selected by coaches and sport systems, into their specific sports,' the researchers said after reviewing almost 20 studies.
This is especially so for gymnasts, who are among the shortest and slowest sexual maturers of female athletes. Many gymnasts' parents are smaller than average. A restricted diet may also have an effect, and taller gymnasts are more likely to quit the sport before shorter ones.
Figure skaters and ballet dancers were also found to be smaller than the average — although ballet dancers caught up in their late teens. However, female basketballers, tennis players, rowers and swimmers were inclined to grow taller than non-athletes.
Body mass was influenced by rigorous training, but researchers could not separate the specific effects of exercise on fat mass from expected changes during normal growth and sexual maturation.
The researchers also found that many factors affected the rate of sexual maturation and suggested that until conclusive proof was found, intensive training could not be labelled a causative factor for late menarche.
Menarche is the medical term for a girl's first menstrual period.
Last Reviewed: 19 February 2002
- 1. Medical Observer Weekly 15/02/02
