Date Approved
2016
Degree Type
Open Access Thesis
Degree Name
Master of Science (MS)
Department or School
Health Promotion and Human Performance
Committee Member
Andrew Cornett
Committee Member
Stephen McGregor
Committee Member
Jonathan Ehrman
Abstract
purpose of this research was (1) to compare maturational pace between the female collegiate swimmers and non-athletic controls and (2) to determine whether maturational pace differs as a function of performance level. Maturational pace can be quantified retrospectively in women using age at menarche (AaM), with younger AaM corresponding to a faster maturational pace and older AaM a slower pace. Collegiate swimmers were significantly older at menarche (13.60 years ± 1.52 SD) than non-athletic controls (12.75 years ± 1.44 SD). In addition, the top-performing third of college swimmers in our sample were significantly older at menarche (14.06 years ± 1.59 SD) than the bottom-performing third (13.32 years ± 1.35 SD). We can conclude that (1) collegiate swimmers are older at menarche than controls and (2) swim performance is associated with later ages at menarche.
Recommended Citation
Duski, Alan, "Maturational pace and performance in female collegiate swimmers" (2016). Master's Theses and Doctoral Dissertations. 811.
https://commons.emich.edu/theses/811