The effects of exercise on linear growth and maturation in female novice dancers and controls: a longitudinal study

Whether physical activity during the adolescent growth spurt adversely influences maturation and growth remains in dispute. However, it is unclear whether this is simply due to selection of genetically late maturing individuals. The aim of this longitudinal study was to assess effects of dancing on linear growth and maturation of young girls progressing through puberty. Eighty-two novice ballet dancers and 61 controls aged 8-11 yrs at baseline were assessed every six months for three years. Maturational age was determined by age at peak height velocity (PHV). Body dimensions were measured by anthropometry and exercise levels, nutritional intake, and age at menarche by questionnaires. At baseline, dancers had attended dance classes for 1-9 yrs (mean 5.4 yrs) with total weekly dance hours during the study ranging from 1-16. There was no difference in nutritional intake between groups, except calcium, which was greater in dancers. Controls had significantly greater height velocity than dancers one year before age at PHV, however there was no difference between groups in PHV attained. There were no group differences in the velocity of growth in sitting height or leg length. Age at menarche was 7 months later in dancers than controls (p7hrs/wk) on growth velocities. The results suggest that moderate levels of dance training do not affect linear growth and maturational development. Thus children should not be discouraged from dance participation on the basis of potential growth delays