Age and gender differences in adolescent and adult overarm throwing.
OBJECTIVE
The purposes of this study were to examine age and gender differences in throwing performance across an underexplored portion of the lifespan: middle adolescents (14-17 years old), young adults (18-25 years old), and adults (35-55 years old).


METHODS
Throwing performance was assessed using the body component levels from Roberton's developmental sequences for force and ball velocity that were recorded by a radar gun. Participants in each age group performed between 5 to 10 forceful overhand throws toward a target approximately 15m to 20m from the thrower. A Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test was used to determine gender differences and a Wilcoxon-Signed Ranks Test was used to determine age-group differences for each component. Gender and age-group differences in ball speed were determined by a 3 (age group) x 2 (gender) factorial analysis of variance with follow-up post-hoc tests.


RESULTS
Young-adult men had higher body component levels and ball speed compared with the adolescent boys and adult men. Female age-group differences existed only for humerus action between young-adult and adult groups and for ball speed between young-adult and adolescent groups. Gender differences (p < .01) existed in component levels for the adolescent and young-adult groups, but not the adult groups. Gender differences in ball speed (p < .001) existed within each age group.


CONCLUSIONS
Although these data were cross-sectional, the regressive developmental changes observed and the narrowing gender gap may eventually provide insight related to the relationships among motor skill competence, physical fitness, and physical activity across the lifespan.
Department of Kinesiology and Health, Wright State University, 308 Nutter Center, 3640 Col. Glenn Highway, Dayton, OH 45435, USA. kevin.lorson@wright.edu
Kevin M
KM
Lorson
David F
DF
Stodden
Stephen J
SJ
Langendorfer
Jacqueline D
JD
Goodway
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009068:Movement / Q000502:physiology*; D012737:Sex Factors; D034941:Upper Extremity / Q000502:physiology*; D055815:Young Adult