Abstract

Introduction: Physical growth (FC), biological maturation (BM) and body composition (BC) are health indicators that should be monitored to detect individual abnormalities and for the selection and detection of sports talent. The objective was to verify whether the parameters of FC and CC of young baseball players should be analyzed by maturity status rather than by chronological age as suggested by research. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in 102 children and adolescent baseball players aged 9.0 to 15.0 years. The sample selection was non-probabilistic (convenience). Weight, standing height, sitting height, tricipital and subscapular folds were evaluated. Maturity status was calculated by the Mirwald anthropometric technique. Fat percentage (%G), fat mass (FM) and fat-free mass (FFM) were estimated by regression equations. Results: The average chronological age was 12.2±2.2 years, the maturity stage was reached at 14.8±0.5APVC and the years of experience in the sport modality was 5.6±2.2 years. Five levels of maturity status were determined: -4APVC, -3APVC, -2APVC, -1APVC and 0APVC. Children classified as pubertal reflected higher values of weight, height, MG and GLM compared to pre-pubertal (p<0.05). Conclusion: The study demonstrated that the evaluation of maturity status in young baseball players by means of a non-invasive anthropometric technique is essential to reduce the confounding factors caused by chronological age, mainly when CF and CC are studied during adolescence.