Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between biological age, habitual physical activity and anthropometrical and physiological characteristics in 12- and 13-year-old schoolboys (
n=70).
Methods: At the beginning and the end of the school year 1971/72 biological age was determined by measuring skeletal age from left hand X-ray photographs. Habitual physical activity was determined by questionnaire interview and pedometers.
Results: All anthropometrical characteristics showed significant correlations (P<0.05) with="" skeletal="" age="" except="" for="" bicipital="" and="" tricipital="" skinfolds.="" out="" of="" 9="" physical="" fitness="" tests="" handgrip="" was="" the="" only="" test="" that="" showed="" a="" significant="" correlation="" (0.52)="" with="" skeletal="">
Pedometer scores gave significant negative correlations (P<0.05) with="" anthropometrical="" characteristics="" except="" for="" tricipital="" skinfold.="" the="" fitness="" tests="" bent="" arm="" hang,="" 12="" min="" run="" walk,="" sit="" and="" reach="" and="">170 showed significant correlations (P<0.05) with="" pedometer="">
Key words Skeletal age - Habitual physical activity - Anthropometrical characteristics - Physical fitness characteristics
This study was supported in part by a grant from the Foundation for Education Research (SVO) and the Ministry of Health and Environmental Hygiene in The Hague (The Netherlands). Project number: 0185.