The Growing Child Outline Growth patterns Body physique

The Growing Child - Outline • • • Growth patterns Body physique Skeletal maturity Muscular development and strength Relative strength and motor performance • Aerobic capacity • Body composition, obesity and physical activity Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon

Growth Patterns • Rapid growth from birth to age 5 • Growth slows from age 6 to adolescence • When growth is rapid motor performance declines • Elementary age boys are generally taller and heavier • Girls reach adolescent growth spurt first • Center of gravity lowers with age Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon

Body Physique • Physique affects quality of motor performance • Three Somatotypes • Endomorph

Skeletal Maturity • Physical maturity has a strong impact on performance • Determined by x-raying the wrist • Five to six year variation in a typical classroom • More mature boys perform better • Less mature girls perform better • Offer a wide range of developmentally appropriate activities to increase success Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon

Muscular Development… • Muscular strength increases with age • Boys generally stronger than girls regarding upper body strength • Boys and girls generally equal regarding leg strength • Muscle fiber types • Slow twitch • Fast twitch • Muscle fiber differentiation occurs in adolescence Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon

Relative Strength… • Strength in relation to body size • Strength has a positive impact on motor performance • Deadweight has a negative impact on performance • Need for varied and personalized workloads Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon

Aerobic Capacity • Maximal aerobic power • Closely related to lean body mass • Aerobic performance training results in little increase in aerobic power in prepubescent children • Children perceive workload as easier than adults • Children exhibit rapid recovery rates • Interval training should be implemented Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon

Body Composition… • Amounts of muscle, bone and fat • Physical activity is crucial factor for dealing with weight control • Lack of physical activity is common among obese children • Obese children require a higher oxygen uptake capacity to perform a given task • Workloads based on time, not distance Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon

Children in Sport Activities • Allow student to play all roles • Rich get richer • Maximize activity for all students • Children participate in activity that is reinforcing • Ensure success for all students • Perceived competence • Learned helplessness • Success = enjoyment = continued participation Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon

Children in Sport Activities • Avoid identifying athletes at a young age • Cannot predict sport success based on elementary school performance • All children treated as if they have the potential to become successful • Don’t Push an Early Start • An early start does not guarantee success • Many professional athletes began their sport in high school • Key = allow children to participate regardless of ability, and to have fun while playing Copyright 2001 by Allyn and Bacon