Adolescence and sport

Growth spurt, temporary clumsiness, biological age and dropout: what puberty changes in sport.

The outline, topic by topic

Each topic is weighted the way the exam weighs it.

Pubertal growth spurt: what is it?
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The period of fastest growth in height, around 12 for girls and 14 for boys on average.
Growth can exceed 8 cm a year.
A 14-year-old, very good until now, suddenly becomes clumsy. What should be done?
- Adapt demands during his growth spurt
- Drop him from the team
- Double technical sessions
- Tell him to quit
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Adapt demands during his growth spurt
Temporary clumsiness fades after the spurt.
Temporary clumsiness: what is it?
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A temporary loss of coordination during the growth spurt, when limbs lengthen quickly.
Technical demands should be adapted without worry.
Why do youth selections favour children born in January?
- They are more gifted from birth
- They are up to a year older than their peers
- A federation rule keeps places for the oldest
- They all took up their sport earlier
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They are up to a year older than their peers
This is the relative age effect: maturity is mistaken for talent.
Biological age: what is it?
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The body's maturity age, which can differ from calendar age by several years.
Two 13-year-olds can be 3 years apart biologically.