Anthropometric, Physical, Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Lipids and Lipoproteins Profile of Young Indian Children of 10-16 Years Age Group

Sports talent may be identified from young children when they show interest in different sports. Anthropometric, physical, cardiorespiratory fitness and lipids profiles contribute to selection procedures. The present study was undertaken to investigate the anthropometric, physical, cardiorespiratiory fitness and lipids and lipoprotein profiles of 10-16 yrs children, in order to identify sports talent in them. A total of 225 male children of 10-16 yrs age volunteered for this study; were divided equally into 3 groups (i) Prepubertal (age-11.0 ± 0.8yrs, n=75); (ii) Pubertal (age 13.5 ± 0.5 yrs, n=75); (iii) Postpubertal (age 15.5 ± 0.5 yrs, n=75). Selected anthropometric, physical and cardiorespiratiory fitness variables were measured for each group. A significantly (P<0.05) greater height, body mass, BSA, LBM, mid upper arm circumference, hip and trunk flexibility, grip strengths, abdominal strength, elastic leg strength, maximum speed, peak power, VO2max, FVC, FEV1, PEFR, blood pressure and serum HDL-C level were observed in Postpubertal children when compared to Prepubertal and Pubertal children. However, a significantly (P<0.05) lower percent body fat, reaction time, maximal heart rate, recovery heart rates and serum triglyceride level were noted in Postpubertal children when compared to Prepubertal and Pubertal children. The waisthip ratio of pubertal children was noted significantly higher (P<0.05) when compared to prepubertal and postpurbertal children. No significant change was reported in BMI, resting heart rate, serum total cholesterol and LDL-C levels among the groups. Identification of children at early stage of their growth and development may produce elite athletes in the future. Talent identification also can be used as a counseling technique that helps to discover and explore areas of talent for particular athletes.