Relação da maturação biológica e de parâmetros hormonais e morfológicos com a força muscular de membros superiores e inferiores de jovens atletas

Abstract

The joint relationships of maturation and hormonal and morphological parameters with muscle strength of upper and lower limbs in young athletes are not yet well defined in the scientific literature.In this sense, the aim of the present study was to verify the relationship of maturation and morphological and hormonal parameters with the muscular strength of the upper and lower limbs of young athletes. The cross-sectional study consisted of 145 young athletes (ages 8 to 16 years; 58% male and 42% female) from six different modalities (rowing, swimming, volleyball, soccer, tennis and jiu-jitsu). The maturation markers (somatic, skeletal and sexual) were analyzed by anthropometric parameters. Morphology was verified by double energy x-ray emission absorptiometry (DXA) and by tretapolar bioimpedance. Upper limb strength was analyzed by medicineball and palmar grip tests. The strength of the lower limbs was analyzed by the vertical jump and countermovement jump tests. Hormone levels of testosterone (TRT), estradiol (EST) and growth hormone were biochemically analyzed by chemiluminescence. Maturation, lean mass, TRT and EST indicated relationships with the strength of upper and lower limbs of young athletes of both sexes. Maturation indicated a great interaction effect (η2 p = 0.753, strong) and local (ƒ2≥ 0.33, moderad) in relation to the lean mass of athletes of both sexes, so young athletes with higher concentrations of lean mass indicated higher concentrations of hormones, accelerated maturational stages and greater muscle strength of upper and lower limbs (p<0.05). Analyses of artificial neural networks of the MLP type indicated that anthropometry together with strength tests can predict in 58.8% the performance of the upper limbs, and in 81% that of the lower limbs. As well as, in male athletes TRT can predict upper limb strength in 49% and maturation in 60%. While in female subjects, maturation can predict upper limb strength between 57.4% and 76%, while hormonal markers presented a potential greater than 95% for the prediction of upper limb strength. It was concluded that in young athletes of both sexes maturation and morphological and hormonal parameters are related to muscle strength, especially with the strength of the upper limbs. In addition, young males who point to higher concentrations of TRT point to higher lean mass, and more advanced maturational stages are higher in strength of upper and lower limbs, and a similar behavior is observed in young females in relation to the concentrations of EST. Thus the present study contributes significantly to the sports sciences, enabling professionals in the area a better evaluation of specific characteristics of athletes in different sports modalities and better guidance and selection of future athletes.