Exploratory study on maturation and competition level in young karate practitioners

Abstract

<p>Paring children improve the chance for success and reduce injury in sport. Despite the maturity differences between children, chronological age remains the main criterion to equalize competition levels, but with limited efficiency. However, in Karate, weight is also considered. We went to investigate the association between chronological age and maturational indicators and find simple models to put on reflection new ways to assess the maturity. Data were collected in 54 young Karate practitioners (age: 12.67 ± 2.49 years, experience: 4.99 ± 2.44 years, height: 150.45 ± 15.25 cm, weight: 43.09 ± 14, 17 kg, 20 girls). Age correlated significantly with self-observation of sexual maturation (rho = 0.838; <em>p </em>< 0.01), and it was possible to find simple regression models that have a moderate explanation in maturation, using only simple measurable variables such as the height, weight and arm circumference. These results should lead the competent entities to reflect on the way of pairing of the athletes in the competitions, in a fair way in terms of maturation.</p>

Bio-Banding in Judo: The Mediation Role of Anthropometric Variables on the Maturation Effect

“…Although their objective is to equalize training routines and competitions, the distribution of young judokas and young athletes of other combat sports in age-weight categories could be inappropriate for biological maturation effect control. Previously, in an investigation regarding the relationship between chronological age and maturation effect in 54 young karateka of both sexes aged 7-16 years, maturity-advanced athletes in several weight categories were found, which would, according to the authors, lead to competitive inadequacy and evidence the need for other criteria for organizing young combat athletes [20]. As of this writing, we were unable to find further studies that investigated the existence or otherwise of the maturation effect on weight categories in young combat sports, which highlights an important gap that this study can help fill.…”

“…This form of bio-banding classification could facilitate fair competition and reduce potential injuries [18,19]. However, doubts may be raised about the suitability of body mass-based classification to guarantee fair play in combat sports due to evidence of maturation effect within weight categories in young combat sports [20], although there is an important gap in studies on this subject, and to the widespread adoption of rapid weight loss (RWL) as a common competitive strategy [21,22].…”

Conceptual Framework for the Research on Quality of Life

“…Such contribution is evident in the scientific production made by the LQRC body of researchers specializing in these areas of knowledge, studying topics as varied as: motor control and development problems [55,56]; unintentional socio-motor synchronization [57]; perceptual motor development, gesture and the development of spoken language [58]; sports and gender rules [59]; unconventional therapeutic body techniques and regulation of vital signs [60][61][62]; haptic perception of functional properties of instruments in children and the elderly [63]; visual perception and motor control [64]; visual perception and navigation [65,66]; task constraints and motor control [67,68]; social affordances and motor development [69]; degrees of freedom of sports instruments and motor learning [70]; adaptive motor abilities in infants; learning specific socio-motor skills [71]; maturation and sports selection [72]; aging and motor control of specific motor abilities [73,74]; and kinesiology of sports injury [75].…”

Age and Maturity Effects on Morphological and Physical Performance Measures of Adolescent Judo Athletes

“…In general, these strategies are based on the use of body size and/or maturational status together with chronological age. A strategy called bio-banding does not neglect other factors which should be considered when it comes to the distribution of youth athletes in competitive categories, such as their skill level and psychological profile ( Branco et al, 2019 ; Cumming et al, 2017 ).…”