Coordinación motriz y fuerza muscular según la maduración somática en escolares chilenos

Puberty represents a period of rapid and significant changes in bodily and motor attributes that occur at different speeds and intensities. The objective of the study was to analyze motor coordination (MC) and muscle strength according to the state of somatic maturation in Chilean schoolchildren. A total of 182 schoolchildren (100 females and 82 males, aged 12 ± 0.8 years) were evaluated. Height, body weight, and Body Mass Index (IMC) were recorded. Somatic maturation was calculated by the peak growth velocity acceleration (APVC). CM was assessed using the Körperkoordinations test Für Kinder battery (KTK), muscle strength using the horizontal jump and handgrip strength (FPM) tests. Schoolchildren with advanced maturation (Post-APVC) showed better results in FPM, IMC, height, and body weight compared to the Pre- and Circa-APVC groups (p<0.01) with moderate to large effect sizes (ES) (η²=0.113 to 0.527). In male Post-APVC group males showed higher performance in horizontal jump, FPM, and single-leg jumps (p<0.01; moderate to large ES). The late maturity group (Pre-APVC) demonstrated better performance in lateral jumps (p<0.01; η²=0.037; ES small) and, in females, in balance beam (p<0.01; η²=0.095; ES moderate). In conclusion, the group with advanced maturation has higher values in FPM and anthropometric parameters, and males in this group exhibit greater muscle strength. In contrast, Pre-APVC group demonstrates better performance in CM, along with higher balance values in the comparison between females. The results highlight the influence of somatic maturation on school assessment and planning processes.