title: Associations between neuromuscular function and levels of physical activity differ for boys and girls during puberty.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To compare the associations between neuromuscular performance and anthropometric characteristics with habitual levels of physical activity in boys and girls during the initial stages of puberty.
  
  
  METHODS
  In a cross-sectional study of 72 healthy children (39 boys and 33 girls) ranging in age from 8 to 14 years, sex differences in anthropometric and motor performance characteristics were compared at 3 Tanner stages (T1-T3). Outcome variables included dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry measurements of body composition, assessments of neuromuscular function, and levels of physical activity (steps/day) measured by accelerometry.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Physical activity was lower in girls than boys at T2 and T3, but there was no sex difference at T1. Physical activity increased with Tanner stage for boys but did not differ between Tanner stages in girls. Physical activity at each Tanner stage was strongly associated (R(2) > 0.85) with neuromuscular characteristics for both boys and girls, but percentage of body fat also was associated with physical activity for T3 girls.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The attenuated gains in neuromuscular function experienced by girls in early stages of puberty were strongly associated with lower levels of physical activity, whereas the increase in physical activity exhibited by boys was mostly related to increases in the strength and endurance of leg muscles. Because sedentary activity is a known contributor to the development of obesity and type 2 diabetes in youth, this study helps to identify possible contributors to decreases in physical activity in young girls and provides potential targets for early intervention.
authors: Department of Health and Exercise Science, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523-1582, USA. thorsten.rudroff@colostate.edu
authors: Thorsten
authors: T
authors: Rudroff
authors: Megan M
authors: MM
authors: Kelsey
authors: Edward L
authors: EL
authors: Melanson
authors: Matthew B
authors: MB
authors: McQueen
authors: Roger M
authors: RM
authors: Enoka
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology*; D009424:Nervous System Physiological Phenomena; D010809:Physical Fitness / Q000502:physiology*; D011627:Puberty / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors
keywords: CTRC; Clinical Translational Research Center; MVC; Maximal voluntary contractions; T1; T2; T3; Tanner stage 1; Tanner stage 2; Tanner stage 3