The Effectiveness of Biological Maturation and Lean Mass in Relation to Muscle Strength Performance in Elite Young Athletes

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the interactional relationships between maturation (biological age (BA)) and lean mass on strength development in young athletes from different sports. Using a cross-sectional study design, a sample of 64 young athletes (rowers, swimmers, jiu-jitsu, volleyball, soccer and tennis players) of both sexes (13.6 ± 1.17 years) were recruited. Body composition was assessed using dual energy bone densitometry with X-ray source (DEXA). Strength of upper limbs (ULS), force hand grip (HG), vertical jump (VJ) and jump against movement (CMJ) were recorded. BA was estimated from anthropometrics. BA relationships were identified with upper limb strength in all athletes, and with the lower limb strength of tennis players, only (p < 0.05). An interaction effect between lean mass and BA was found (η2p = 0.753), as was a local effect within the regression models (ƒ2 ≥ 0.33). Athletes with a higher concentration of lean mass had superior upper and lower limb strength (p < 0.05). Lean mass showed a local effect (ƒ2) greater than that associated with BA. Although maturation is related to strength development, the strength of the relationship is mitigated by the accrual of lean mass. Specifically, the local effect of lean mass on muscle strength is broader than that of maturation, especially for lower limb strength.

Lean mass and biological maturation as predictors of muscle power and strength performance in young athletes

“…[19] have demonstrated that the lower limbs LM is associated with lower-limbs strength in female athletes. In line, we have observed associations between BM and LM in adolescent athletes of both sex [16].…”

“…We have recently reported that the PHV can estimate the lower-limbs power in young elite athletes, and is correlated with the isometric strength peak (in the handgrip test) [16]. Moreover, when BM is estimated by the BA in adolescent athletes, it correlates with both upper-and lower-limbs strength [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17]. Furthermore, a prior study of Azimi et al [18] showed that the Lean mass (LM) is also associated with muscle power in young weightlifters.…”

Equation for analyzing the peak power in aquatic environment: An alternative for olympic rowing athletes

“…In the aquatic environment, generating a peak of power that makes it possible to increase the speed of the vessel's locomotion, can give advantages in sports events [ 1 , 3 , 10 ]. However, it will require a large production of traction force generated from the movements performed by the rowers, and having higher concentrations of lean mass can favor the production of force [ 1 , 3 , 10 , 39 ]. Concomitantly the maturation process has a significant relationship with the lean mass and thus also with the performance of young rowers [ 38 ].…”

“…Recently, our group investigated the interaction of maturation and lean mass with the neuromuscular performance of young elite athletes [ 39 ]. It was shown that lean mass significantly interacts with the neuromuscular performance of upper and lower limbs of young Brazilian elite rowing athletes [ 39 ]. This fact corroborates the findings of the present study in relation to lean mass.…”

Can discreet performance banding, as compared to bio-banding, discriminate technical skills in male adolescent soccer players? A preliminary investigation

“…In youth sport, the transition from adolescence to adulthood can be difficult with substantial bodily change, such as growth in stature (1) and increases in lean mass (2), resulting in potential increases and decreases in physical performance at specific junctures throughout the developmental years (1,(3)(4)(5). The maturational processes that underpin these changes are highly variable across individuals with youth athletes who mature earlier than their peers potentially experiencing a competitive advantage due to superior size and physical performance (6).…”