The impact of intensive high performance training on adult height of female artistic gymnasts: a retrospective study

Abstract

Abstract The purpose of this study was to identify the potential impact of the high performance training on the anthropometric and maturational characteristics of female artistic gymnasts and to compare the adult target height with international standards of growth. A sample consisted of 23 elite Brazilian female former gymnasts was evaluated. From a historic retrospective, about 29.56 yrs. ago (average of all) they devoted themselves to the training for 9.3 (2.6) years, with a weekly 24.26 (4.2) training hours, and had been retired from competition around at 13.61 (5.12) years old. From the anthropometric data of the gymnasts (while still competing), their parents and their older sister (1) and younger sister (2), the target height was calculated by Tanner method {[(father’s height -13 cm) + mother’s height] ÷ 2}. Additionally, training history, age of menarche occurrence, and growth classifying in accordance with the international standards was recorded, aimed at comparisons. The average stature shown normal adult stature (NCHS), and some cases surpassed the standard 75th, 90th and 95th percentile. They are higher than their mother (p = 0.039), but not their sister 1 (0.952) or sister 2 (p = 0.998), but the age of menarche was significantly later only than their sisters 1 (p = 0.008) and 2 (p = 0.017). According to the Brazilian percentiles reference (IBGE), the final height of the former gymnasts was always higher of the standard, slightly smaller than their sisters 2 (5th and 10th), but was taller than their mothers and sisters 1. In conclusion, there is no evidence of artistic gymnastics high performance training having adverse effects on the final adult height.