[Physical activity in children and adolescents in relation to growth and development].
BACKGROUND
Physical activity may influence the performance and health of children and adolescents. The purpose of this article is to give a review of present knowledge in this field.


METHODS
Literature was searched using Medline and the Norwegian University of Sports library.


RESULTS
Related to body mass, boys have an aerobic capacity like young adults. Girls show a reduction from prepuberty until adulthood. Their trainability seems to be lower than in adults. Anaerobic capacity and muscle strength are lower than in adults, but increase during puberty, especially in boys. The trainability is good at all ages. There are small differences in performance between boys and girls before puberty. Physical activity has favourable metabolic effects and influences the development of fat tissue, skeleton and probably tendons, ligaments and cartilage.


CONCLUSIONS
Physical activity is important for performance and health during the growing years and later. It is a factor in the prevention of artheriosclerotic disease, hypertension, obesity, diabetes type 2, some types of cancers, osteoporosis, and muscular problems. Specialisation in sports should normally be postponed until late puberty, even by those who aim at high performance.
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helgedm@brage.idrettshs.no
D000293:Adolescent; D001794:Blood Pressure; D001823:Body Composition; D002648:Child; D002657:Child Development; D004734:Energy Metabolism; D015444:Exercise / Q000502:physiology*; D005260:Female; D006128:Growth / Q000502:physiology*; D006439:Hemodynamics; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D010101:Oxygen Consumption; D010806:Physical Education and Training; D010809:Physical Fitness; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology; D012727:Sex Characteristics