EFFECTS OF MATURATION AS A COVARIATE OF SEX DIFFERENCE ON MOTOR COMPETENCE IN ADOLESCENTSABSTRACT
The aim of this study was to evaluate differences between sexes in motor competence (MC) by product- and process-oriented assessments, and examine the effect of maturation as a covariate influencing the MC of boys and girls. The sample comprised 50 adolescents (28 boys), aged 11-17 years (14.02 ± 2.49), from two public schools. The MC was evaluated in three skills (standing long jump, hop and throw) by process- (developmental sequences for body components) and product-oriented assessments (distance, time and speed, respectively). Maturation was evaluated with the peak height velocity (PHV). Sex differences were evaluated using ANOVA and, subsequently, ANCOVA, considering the PHV as a covariate. Boys had better MC in all the skills for product-oriented assessment, and most of body components for process-oriented assessment. After using the PHV as a covariate, the magnitude of differences between sexes increased in most of motor skills for both types of assessments, favoring boys. Considering the effect of maturation on the difference between the sexes in the MC, we emphasize the need to observe the maturation while studying the MC during adolescence.
Keywords: Psychomotor performance; Motor development; Adolescents.