This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Submit a related Letter to the Editor Purchase Article View Shopping Cart Alert me when this article is cited Alert me when eLetters are posted Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Request Copyright Permission Citing Articles Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Georgopoulos, N. Articles by Vagenakis, A. G. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Georgopoulos, N. Articles by Vagenakis, A. G.

Growth and Pubertal Development in Elite Female Rhythmic Gymnasts

Departments of Medicine and Radiology (L.V., Z.K.), Division of Endocrinology (N.G., K.M., A.T., P.P., A.G.V.), University of Patras Medical School, University Hospital, Patras, 26500 Greece

Address all correspondence and requests for reprints to: Dr. A. G. Vagenakis, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, University of Patras Medical School, Patras, 26500 Greece. E-mail: Vag.immd{at}med.upatras.gr

Optimal growth depends upon both environmental and genetic factors. Among environmental factors that could alter growth and sexual maturation are stress and intensive physical training. The influence of these factors has been documented in a variety of sports, but there is limited information on rhythmic gymnasts, who have entirely different training and performance requirements.

The study was conducted during the 13th European Championships in Patras, Greece, and included 255 female rhythmic gymnasts, aged 11–23 yr. The study included measurement of height and weight, assessment of breast and pubic hair development, estimation of body fat and skeletal maturation, and registration of menarcheal age and parental height.

Gymnasts were taller than average height for age, with mean height above and mean weight below the 50th percentile. Actual height SD score was positively correlated to weight SD score (P < 0.001), number of competitions (P = 0.01), and body mass index (BMI; P < 0.001). Predicted adult height SD score was positively correlated to weight SD score (P < 0.001) and negatively to body fat (P = 0.004).

There was a delay in skeletal maturation of 1.3 yr (P < 0.001). Pubertal development was following bone age rather than chronological age. The mean age of menarche was significantly delayed from that of their mothers and sisters (P = 0.008 and P = 0.05, respectively), was positively correlated to the intensity of training and to the difference between chronological age and bone age (P < 0.001 and P = 0.002, respectively), and was negatively correlated to body fat (P < 0.001).

In the elite female rhythmic gymnasts, psychological and somatic efforts have profound effects on growth and sexual development. Despite these aberrations, adult height is not expected to be affected.

This article has been cited by other articles:

				T. Rohrer, E. Stierkorb, S. Heger, B. Karges, K. Raile, K O. Schwab, R. W Holl, and on behalf of the Diabetes-Patienten-Verlaufsdaten Delayed pubertal onset and development in German children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes: cross-sectional analysis of recent data from the DPV diabetes documentation and quality management system Eur. J. Endocrinol., November 1, 2007; 157(5): 647 - 653. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				J.-P. Bonjour and T. Chevalley Pubertal Timing, Peak Bone Mass and Fragility Fracture Risk IBMS BoneKEy, February 1, 2007; 4(2): 30 - 48. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A. Theodoropoulou, K. B. Markou, G. A. Vagenakis, D. Benardot, M. Leglise, G. Kourounis, A. G. Vagenakis, and N. A. Georgopoulos Delayed but Normally Progressed Puberty Is More Pronounced in Artistic Compared with Rhythmic Elite Gymnasts Due to the Intensity of Training J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2005; 90(11): 6022 - 6027. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. A. Georgopoulos, A. Theodoropoulou, M. Leglise, A. G. Vagenakis, and K. B. Markou Growth and Skeletal Maturation in Male and Female Artistic Gymnasts J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., September 1, 2004; 89(9): 4377 - 4382. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				A.-S. Parent, G. Teilmann, A. Juul, N. E. Skakkebaek, J. Toppari, and J.-P. Bourguignon The Timing of Normal Puberty and the Age Limits of Sexual Precocity: Variations around the World, Secular Trends, and Changes after Migration Endocr. Rev., October 1, 2003; 24(5): 668 - 693. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				S. Dubravcic-Simunjak, M. Pecina, H. Kuipers, J. Moran, and M. Haspl The Incidence of Injuries in Elite Junior Figure Skaters Am. J. Sports Med., July 1, 2003; 31(4): 511 - 517. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. A. Georgopoulos, K. B. Markou, A. Theodoropoulou, D. Benardot, M. Leglise, and A. G. Vagenakis Growth Retardation in Artistic Compared with Rhythmic Elite Female Gymnasts J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., July 1, 2002; 87(7): 3169 - 3173. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				N. A. Georgopoulos, K. B. Markou, A. Theodoropoulou, G. A. Vagenakis, D. Benardot, M. Leglise, J. C. A. Dimopoulos, and A. G. Vagenakis Height Velocity and Skeletal Maturation in Elite Female Rhythmic Gymnasts J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab., November 1, 2001; 86(11): 5159 - 5164. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				R Ramsay and R Wolman Are synchronised swimmers at risk of amenorrhoea? Br. J. Sports Med., August 1, 2001; 35(4): 242 - 244. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]