MATURITY-RELATED DIFFERENCES IN MODERATE, VIGOROUS, AND MODERATE-TO-VIGOROUS PHYSICAL ACTIVITY IN 10-14-YEAR-OLD BOYS

The goal of this study was to investigate differences in physical activity (PA) levels between early, average, and late maturing boys and the effect of chronological age, body mass index, and fat mass. PA was measured by accelerometry in 10-14-yr.-old boys (N = 265) during seven consecutive days. Biological maturation groups (early, average, and late) were created. Average and late maturing boys had significantly higher moderate PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA compared to early maturing boys. Late maturers also had higher vigorous PA compared to early maturers. Differences in moderate PA and moderate-to-vigorous PA remained significant after controlling for chronological age; however, after controlling for Body Mass Index or fat mass the differences were no longer significant. Mean differences in PA between early, average, and late maturing boys are not independent of Body Mass Index or fat mass. Vigorous PA differences between maturity groups were not independent of chronological age.