EFFECTS OF BODY SIZE, SHAPE AND COMPOSITION ON THE POSTURAL STABILITY IN THE PRE-PUBERTAL GROWTH SPURT

Children aged 10-11 years are in going through a dynamic developmental period marked by rapid changes in body size, shape, and composition, all of which are sexually dimorphic. The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of these factors on the postural stability in the pre-pubertal growth spurt. This was a cross-sectional study involving 312 children (152 boys, 160 girls), from 5th and 6th grade (10.8 ± 0.4 years), who were self-assessed as belonging to Tanner stages I and II. Postural balance control was evaluated using the single-legged flamingo balance test. It was observed a significant effect of the ectomorphy, body mass and body height on the postural stability. The variables body fat, endomorphy and mesomorphy did not have statistically significant influence. Additionally, boys and girls aged 10-11 years seem to have similar performance. Determining these anthropometric and morphological parameters effects and gender differences in postural stability is important for many practical fields such as physical education and youth sport.