EVOLUZIONE FUNZIONALE DELL'ADOLESCENTE IN RELAZIONE ALLA PRATICA SPORTIVA

The evolution of the capacity for muscular exercise during adolescence appears to be out of proportion to the growth of the body. Functional maturity with respect to work is attained after developmental cycles of various duration, depending upon the function as well as on ethnic and environmental variables. Maximal aerobic power per kg of body weight (specific) is attained earlier than maximal absolute aerobic power levels, maximal anaerobic absolute and specific levels, and maximal muscle strength and endurance capacity. The aims of the present work are: to describe the evolution, in relation to sex and age, of some morphological and functional variables relevant to exercise; and to perform a comparative analysis between males and females of the development of the maximal aerobic speed of locomotion when running, bicycling and swimming.