Physical fitness spurts in childhood: A study in boys

This study aimed to (1) estimate age-at-mid-growth spurt (age-at-MGS) in Portuguese boys from two different regions—the Azores islands and Viana do Castelo, (2) identify spurts a variety of physical fitness (PF) components aligned by age-at-MGS the samples. A total 176 (Azores, n = 91; 85) aged 6 years old were followed annually 10 age. Age-at-MGS PF (speed, explosive muscular strength, abdominal agility, flexibility) identified for each sample. The timing intensities estimated using non-smooth mathematical procedure. In Azorean boys, occurred at 7.8 (6.99 cm y?1), whereas Castelo it 7.9 (6.20 y?1). Spurt speed was attained 12 months after MGS both samples (0.53 0.35 y?1 respectively), strength flexibility before (Azores: 21.59 5.52 Castelo: 14.12 2.5 y?1, respectively). Agility peaked between 0 (Viana 0.37 m s?1 6.71 reps Azores: 0.28 19.36 Results indicate that developmental occur before, or are coincident with, mid-growth height, speed, after, height.