The influence of maturation,body size and physical self-perceptions on longitudinal changes in physical activity in adolescent girls

Abstract

The aim of this study was to adopt a longitudinal design to explore the direct effects of both absolute and relative maturation and changes in body size on physical activity, and explore if, and how, physical self-perceptions might mediate this effect. We recruited 208 girls (11.8 ± 0.4 years) at baseline. Data were collected at three subsequent time points, each 6 months apart. At 18 months, 119 girls remained in the study. At each time point, girls completed the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children, the Pubertal Development Scale (from which, both a measure of relative and absolute maturation were defined) and the Physical Self-Perception Profile, and had physical size characteristics assessed. Multilevel modelling for physical activity indicated a significant negative effect of age, positive effect for physical condition and sport competence and positive association for relatively early maturers. Absolute maturation, body mass, waist circumference and sum of skinfolds did not significantly contribute to the model. Contrary to common hypotheses, relatively more mature girls may, in fact, be more active than their less mature peers. However, neither changes in absolute maturation nor physical size appear to directly influence changes in physical activity in adolescent girls.     

Book Reviews

Abstract

Bard, Chantal, Fleury, Michelle, and Hay, Laurette (Eds.). Development of eye-hand coordination across the life span. Columbia: University of South Carolina Press, 1990. Pp. xii, 384. Figures, tables, references. Reviewed by Kathi Kamm, Indiana University.     

Book reviews

Women, sport and performance, C.L. Wells, Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois, 1985. xi+333 pp, $24.00 (hb), ISBN 0 931250 87 0

Research designs and statistics for physical education, Anne L. Rothstein, Prentice Hall, New York, 1985. xiii + 353 pp, £31 (hb), ISBN 0 13 774142 1

Limits of human performance, American Academy of Physical Education Papers No. 18, D.H. Clarke and H.M. Eckert (eds), Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois, 1985. 144 pp, £14.50 (pb), ISBN 0 931250 99 4

Sports physiology, (2nd edn) E.L. Fox, Holt Saunders, Eastbourne, 1984. xii+418 pp, £18.95 (hb), ISBN 0 03 063771 6

Sport management ‐ macro perspectives, P. Chelladurai, Sports Dynamics, London, Ontario, 1985. 191 pp, $11.95 (pb), ISBN 0 9691619 0 5

Microelectronics in the sport sciences, Charles F. Cicciarella, Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois (distributed in the UK by Eddington Hook & Co.), 1986. 105 pp, $12.00 (pb), ISBN 0 87322 056 0

The biomechanics of sports techniques, (3rd edn) J.G. Hay, Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1985. xvii+539 pp, £15.95 (pb), ISBN 0 13 078304 8     

Book reviews

Thigh muscle volume is a useful determinant of functional fitness. However, anthropometric prediction of muscle content is influenced by the variability of adipose tissue accumulation. The aims of this study were to predict thigh muscle and adipose tissue volumes from anthropometry and to assess the validity of the method by examining the various components of the measurements and the assumptions involved. The 19 participants (9 men, 10 women; age 23-49 years) varied in adiposity. They all underwent magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the upper leg and the eight men and two women with the lowest adiposity underwent detailed anthropometry involving girths and skinfolds. Using MRI as the reference method, muscle volume was predicted from anthropometry using a circular concentric model, and the assumptions inherent in the method were tested further using the MRI data alone. Muscle volume was best predicted by anthropometry in the 10 leanest participants using a five-slice truncated cone model that overestimated the mean MRI value by 30% ( R 2 = 0.95; standard error of estimate = 288 cm 3 ; P ? 0.001). A single skinfold plus girth measurement at the mid-thigh almost matched its predictive ability, but with an increased bias. Measurements of leg circumference by means of the two techniques agreed well. The assumption of a circular cross-section was valid. In contrast, the agreement between skinfold thickness measured by caliper and superficial adipose tissue thickness by MRI was poor, contributing to the scatter of fat and lean area comparisons. An anterior skinfold thickness measurement underestimated the area of superficial adipose tissue at that level, particularly at the most proximal and distal sites. Although these limitations increase the uncertainties of muscle volume determination by anthropometry, they do not prevent its valid prediction in leaner individuals. The prediction of superficial adipose tissue was poorer.     

Book reviews

Clinical sports medicine, Robert C. Cantu, (ed.), The Collamore Press, Lexington, Massachusetts, Toronto, 1984. 219 pp, £19.95 (hb), ISBN 0 669 06842 X

Sports injuries, a self‐help guide, Vivian Grisogono, John Murray Ltd, London, 1984. 293 pp, £7.95 (hb), ISBN 0 7195 4111 5

Athletes’ guide to mental training, Robert N. Nideffer, Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois (distributed in the UK by Eddington Hook & Co.) 1985. vii +156 pp, $9.95 (pb), ISBN 0 931250 96 X

Scientific foundations of coaching, R.R. Pate, B. McClenaghan and R. Rotella, Saunders College Publishing, Philadelphia, 1984. xii + 344 pp, £21.95(hb), ISBN 0 03 057961 9

Mathematics in sport, M. Stewart Townend, Ellis Horwood, Chichester, 1984. 202 pp (hb), ISBN 0 85312 717 4

Frontiers of exercise biology, ’Big Ten Body of Knowledge’ symposium series, Vol. 13 K.T. Borer, D.W. Edington and T.P. White (eds), Human Kinetics Publishers Inc., Champaign, Illinois, (distributed in the UK by Edington Hook & Co.), 1983. vii + 295 pp, $31.95(hb), ISBN 0 931250 49 8

The knee, Philippe Segal and Marcel Jacob, Wolfe Medical Publications, Frome, Somerset, 1984. 143 pp (hb), £15, ISBN 2 224 00887 2

Psychological foundations of sport, J.M. Silva and R.S. Weinberg (eds), Human Kinetics, Champaign, Illinois, (distributed in the UK by Eddington Hook & Co), 1984. xxiv + 528 pp, £22.50 (hb), ISBN 0 93 1250 59 5

Physical activity and the social sciences, W. Neil Widmeyer, Mouvement Publications Inc., Ithaca, 1983. 472 pp, £9.00 (pb), ISBN 0 932392 13 X     

Book reviews

Changes in stature during physical activity reflect alterations in spinal column length that occur as a result of loading the spine. The shrinkage is associated with loss of intervertebral disc height. This study aimed to measure both the load on the spine during simulations of a round of golf and the physiological responses to carrying golf clubs. Fine measurement of stature was achieved using a computer‐linked stadiometer inclined to 13°. Shrinkage was measured (n = 6) after performance regimens which mimicked (1) the ambulatory activity during golf play, (2) ambulation and skills employed in par performance and (3) ambulation and carriage of clubs. Our observations indicate significant shrinkage associated with golf skills, mean shrinkage after nine holes being 2.53 mm compared to 1.78 mm in the walking condition. The highest shrinkage was observed when the player carried his clubs, the amount of stature loss being 4.76 mm over nine holes. The highest rates of shrinkage occurred over the first three holes. In a second experiment to further examine the effects of carrying the golf clubs, five of the subjects walked on a motor‐driven treadmill at 5 km h^‐1 for 5 min. Carrying the clubs caused a 15% increase in VO₂ and a 25% rise in VE compared to normal walking. Increases were found also in perceived exertion. The physical and physiological loadings associated with recreational golf were deemed to be light to moderate and do not denote undue strain in occasional practices.     

Book reviews

Mike Huggins, Flat Racing and British Society, 1790–1914: A Social and Economic History (London and Portland, OR: Frank Cass, 2000). Pp. xv + 270, 25 illustrations, index. £39.50/$57.50 (cloth); £17.50/$26.50 (paper). ISBN 0–7146–4982–1; 0–7146–8045–1.

Bill Mallon and Ian Buchanan, The 1908 Olympic Games: Results for All Competitions in All Events, with Commentary (Jefferson, NC: McFarland & Company, 2000). Pp. xx + 516, index. $45.00. ISBN 0–7864–0598–8.

Randy Shaw. Reclaiming America: Nike, Clean Air, and the New National Activism (University of California Press, 1999). Pp. ix + 312, index. ISBN 0–520–21359–9.

Mark Douglas Lowes, Inside the Sports Pages: Work Routines, Professional Ideologies, and the Manufacture of Sports News (Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1999). Pp. xiii + 126, index, bibliography. $40.00 (cloth); $16.95 (paper). ISBN 0–8020–4359–3; 0–8020–8183–5.

C. Gaddy, An Olympic Journey: The Saga of an American Hero: LeRoy T. Walker. (Griffin Publishing Group: California, 1998). Pp. xiv + 265, illustrations, bibliographical references, achievements. $24.95. ISBN 1–882180–92–5.

William Marshall, Baseball's Pivotal Era, 1945–1951 (Lexington: The University Press of Kentucky, 1999). Pp. xii + 513, 81 photographs, index. $29.95. ISBN 0–8131–2041–1.

Bob Allen with Bill Gilbert, The 500 Home Run Club: Baseball's 15 Greatest Home Run Hitters from Aaron to Williams (Champaign, IL: Sports Publishing Inc., 1999). Pp. x + 273, photographs. $22.95. ISBN 1582610312.

Simon Rae, W.G. Grace: A Life (London, Faber and Faber, 1999). Pp. xx + 548, 30 illustrations, index. £20.00 (cloth); £9.99 (paper). ISBN 0–571–17855–3; 0–571–19573‐ 3.

David W. Anderson. More Than Merkle: A History of the Best and Most Exciting Baseball Season in Human History (Lincoln, NE: University of Nebraska Press, 2000). Pp. xxx + 285, 17 photographs, bibliography, index, $29.95. ISBN 0–8032–1056–6.

Joanna Avery and Julie Stevens, Too Many Men on the Ice: Women's Hockey in North America (Vancouver: Polestar Book Publishers, 1997). Pp. 286, 62 photographs, 37 tables, index, bibliography. CANS 19.95; US$ 16.95. ISBN 1–896095–33‐X.

John Fizel, Elizabeth Gustafson and Lawrence Hadley (eds.), Sports Economics: Current Research. (Westport, Connecticut: Praeger Publishers, 1999). Pp. xiv + 246, index, bibliography. $59.95. ISBN 0–275–96330–6.

Frank P. Jozsa, Jr. and John J. Guthrie, Jr., Relocating Teams and Expanding Leagues in Professional Sports: How the Major Leagues Respond to Market Conditions (Westport, CT: Quorum Books, 1999). Pp. 206, index, bibliography. $59.95. ISBN 1–56720–193–8.

Adrian Shubert, Death and Money in the Afternoon: A History of the Spanish Bullfight (New York and Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1999). Pp. 270, 17 illustrations, 2 appendices, index. $25.00. ISBN 0–19–509524–3.

Cindy S. Aron, Working at Play: A History of Vacations in the United States (New York: Oxford University Press, 1999). Pp. xii + 324. 30 photographs, index. $35.00. ISBN 019–5055845.

L. Koppett, Koppett's Concise History of Major League Baseball (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1998). Pp. xiv + 521, index. $34.95. ISBN 1–56639–638–7. J.H. Bready, Baseball in Baltimore: The First 100 Years (Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998). Pp. ix + 242, photographs throughout, index. $34.95. ISBN 0–9018–5833‐X.

L. Koppett, Koppett's Concise History of Major League Baseball (Philadelphia: Temple University Press, 1998). Pp. xiv + 521, index. $34.95. ISBN 1–56639–638–7. J.H. Bready, Baseball in Baltimore: The First 100 Years (Baltimore and London: The Johns Hopkins University Press, 1998). Pp. ix + 242, photographs throughout, index. $34.95. ISBN 0–9018–5833‐X.

J. Zoss and J. Bowman, Diamonds in the Rough: The Untold History of Baseball (Chicago: Contemporary Books, 1996). Pp. xiv + 433, many photographs, index. $16.95. ISBN 0–8092–3234–0. M. Stang and L. Harkness, Baseball by the Numbers: A Guide to the Uniform Numbers of Major League Teams. American Sports History Series, No. 4 (Lanham, MD and London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1997). Pp. xix + 1125, 8 photographs. ISBN 0–8108–3054‐X.

R. Ruck, The Tropic of Baseball: Baseball in the Dominican Republic (Lincoln and London: Nebraska University Press, 1999). Pp. xx + 215, 19 photographs, 3 maps, index. $12.00. ISBN 0–8032–8978–2.

D.Q. Voigt, The League That Failed. American Sports History Series, No. 10 (Lanham, MD and London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1998). Pp. xiv + 322, 23 photographs, index. $45.00. ISBN 0–8108–3309–3.

J. Zoss and J. Bowman, Diamonds in the Rough: The Untold History of Baseball (Chicago: Contemporary Books, 1996). Pp. xiv + 433, many photographs, index. $16.95. ISBN 0–8092–3234–0.

M. Stang and L. Harkness, Baseball by the Numbers: A Guide to the Uniform Numbers of Major League Teams. American Sports History Series, No. 4 (Lanham, MD and London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1997). Pp. xix + 1125, 8 photographs. ISBN 0–8108–3054‐X.

R. Ruck, The Tropic of Baseball: Baseball in the Dominican Republic (Lincoln and London: Nebraska University Press, 1999). Pp. xx + 215, 19 photographs, 3 maps, index. $12.00. ISBN 0–8032–8978–2.

D.Q. Voigt, The League That Failed. American Sports History Series, No. 10 (Lanham, MD and London: The Scarecrow Press, Inc., 1998). Pp. xiv + 322, 23 photographs, index. $45.00. ISBN 0–8108–3309–3.

Eddie Irvine, with Jane Nottage, Life in the Fast Lane: The Inside Story of the Ferrari Years (London: Ebury Press, 1999; distributed in the US by Trafalgar Square Publishing, North Pomfret, Vermont). Pp. xxiii + 232, 32 photographs. $29.95. ISBN 0–09–18746–02.

J.S. Todd, Physical Culture and the Body Beautiful: Purposive Exercise in the Lives of American Women, 1800–1875 (Macon, GA: Mercer University Press, 1998). Pp. ix + 369, 81 illustrations, methodology, bibliography, index. US$39.95. ISBN 0–86554–561–8.

Eric G. Dunning, Joseph A. Maguire and Robert E. Pearton (eds.), The Sports Process: A Comparative and Developmental Approach (Champaign, IL: Human Kinetics Publishers, 1993). Pp. 279 + xiii, index. £37.50 (cloth). ISBN 0–87322–419–1.

Christiane Eisenberg, "English Sports “ und deutsche Bürger: Eine Gesellschaftsgeschichte 1800–1939 (Paderborn: Ferdinand Schöningh, 1999). Pp. 523.

M.L. Biscotti (comp.), A Bibliography of American Sporting Books, 1926–1985 (Far Hills, NJ: Meadow Run Press, 1997). Pp. ix + 573. $80.00. ISBN 1–886967–06–7.

J.L. Arbena (comp.), Latin American Sport: An Annotated Bibliography, 1988–1998, Bibliographies and Indexes on Sports History No 3 (Westport, CT: Greenwood, 1999). Pp. vii + 264. $75.00. ISBN 0–313–29611–1.

D. Kyle, H. Lee, T. Scanlon and K. Kitchell, Entering the Stadium: Approaches to Ancient Greek Athletics. Editor K. Kitchell, The Classical Bulletin, Vol.74 (1998), No.2 (Wauconda, IL: Bolchazy‐Carducchi). Pp. 100–200. $20.00. ISSN 0009–8337.

Wendy Long, Celebrating Excellence: Canadian Women Athletes (Vancouver: Polestar Book Publishers, 1995). Pp. 255. CAN$ 29.95. ISBN 1–896095–04–6.

Steven J. Overman, The Influence of the Protestant Ethic on Sport and Recreation (Aldershot: Avebury Press, 1997. Pp. + 394, index. ISBN 1 ‐85972–387‐X.

Douglas Booth, The Race Game: Sport and Politics in South Africa (London and Portland, OR: Frank Cass, 1998). Pp. xxi + 250, 10 photographs, index. £42.50/$59.50 (cloth); £17.50/$26.50 (paper). ISBN 0–7146–4799–3; 0–7146–4354–8.

Mike Cronin, Sport and Nationalism in Ireland: Gaelic Games, Soccer and Irish Identity since 1884 (Dublin and Portland, OR: Four Courts Press, 1999). Pp.214. £14.95. ISBN 1–85182–456–1.     

Book reviews

In the context of uncertainty and ongoing reform of senior secondary education in Australia, this paper addresses inclusivity in the design and implementation of senior physical education (PE) courses. Critical analysis of course developments in two states in Australia; Queensland and Western Australia, demonstrates ways in which course design, school and teacher decisions can all have wide reaching significance for students’ educational and vocational futures. Course developments in the two states are identified as pursuing inclusivity in different ways and as featuring significant flexibility in their requirements. Enactment of the embedded commitment to inclusivity and accompanying flexibility is shown to present considerable ‘scope for slippage’ from the intentions embedded in the official course texts. It is argued that curriculum developers, teachers and researchers should continue to seek to disrupt processes of generation, maintenance and transmission of inequalities within and beyond PE.     

Book reviews

Paul Goldman, Sporting Life: An Anthology of British Sporting Prints. (London, British Museum Publications, 1983). Pp. 136. £7.95.

Donald J. Mrozek, Sport and American Mentality, 1880–1910. (Knoxville, University of Tennessee Press, 1983). Pp.xx + 284. NP.

Christopher Dodd, The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race. (London, Stanley Paul, 1983). Pp.405. £14.95.

Ian T. Henderson and David I. Stirk, The Compleat Golfer: An Illustrated History of the Royal and Ancient Game. (London: Victor Gollancz, 1982). Pp.96. £5.95.

Jean‐Marie Brohm, Sport—A Prison of Measured Time. Essays. (Translated by Ian Fraser). (London: Ink Links, 1978). Pp. ix+ 185. NP.

Robert J. Higgs, Sports: A Reference Guide. (Westport, CT: Greenwood Press, 1982). Pp.317. NP.

Gary Firth, James Hagerty, Keith Laybourn (eds.), Yorkshire at Play: A Guide to Historical Sources and their Uses. (Leeds: University of Leeds School of Education, 1982). Pp.x + 54. NP.

Sir Walter Gilbey, Sport in the Olden Time. (Liss, Hants: Spur Publications Company, 1975). Pp.[xi] + 117. £7.50.

Capt. L. Fitz‐Barnard, Fighting Sports. (Hindhead, Surrey: Triplegate Ltd. (Learnex), 1983). Pp.viii + 292. £15.00.

David B. Smith, Curling: An Illustrated History. (Edinburgh: John Donald Publishers, 1981). Pp.vii + 232. £12.00.     

A longitudinal assessment of the links between physical activity and physical self-worth in adolescent females

Abstract

A longitudinal framework was used to examine the hypotheses of (1) whether physical activity predicts changes in physical self-worth or (2) whether physical self-worth predicts changes in physical activity in adolescent girls. Participants (n=272) completed measures of physical self-worth and participation in physical activities at three different points spanning a two-year interval. A cross-lagged panel model using structural equation modelling analyses indicated that physical self-worth predicted subsequent physical activity and physical activity in turn predicted subsequent physical self-worth across time. Findings demonstrated a reciprocal relationship between physical self-worth and physical activity during early adolescence. This study supports the use of the reciprocal effects model (REM) in gaining an understanding of the cross-lagged relationships between physical self-worth and participation in physical activities amongst adolescent girls.     

Book reviews

William J. Baker and James A. Rog (eds.), Sports and the Humanities: A Symposium (University of Maine, Orono, Maine, 1983), Pp.126. $8.95.

William J. Baker, Sports in the Western World. (Totowa, N.J., Rowan and Littlefield, 1982), Pp.viii + 360. $19.95 (hardback).

J. Bale, Sport and Place: A Geography of Sport in England, Scotland and Wales. (London, C. Hurst; Lincoln, University of Nebraska Press, 1982). Pp.187 £9.50.

J. A. Mangan, Athleticism in the Victorian and Edwardian Public School: the Emergence and Consolidation of an Educational Ideology. (Cambridge, Cambridge University Press, 1981). Pp.368. £28.

Beryl Furlong, Carnegie 1933–1983: College and School. (University of Liverpool, 1983). Pp.40. NP.

Gerald Redmond, The Sporting Scots of Nineteenth‐Century Canada. (London and Toronto, Associated University Presses, 1982). Pp.347. £16.50 (hardback).

Steven Tischler, Footballers and Businessmen (New York, Holmes and Meier, 1981). Pp.154.     

Book reviews

Richard Cox, Sport — A Guide to Historical Sources in the UK (London, Sports Council, 1983). Pp.vii + 61. £8.00 ISBN 0 906577 34 9.

P.B. Munsche, Gentlemen and Poachers: The English Game Laws 1671–1831 (Cambridge, CUP, 1983). Pp.x + 255. £18.50. ISBN 0 521 23284 8.

Garry Whannel, Blowing the Whistle: The Politics of Sport (London, Pluto Press, 1983). Pp. 117. £2.50. ISBN 0 86104 508 4.

David Smith and Gareth Williams, Fields of Praise: The Official History of the Welsh Rugby Union 1881–1981 (Cardiff, University of Wales Press, 1980). Pp.xii + 505. £12.95. ISBN 0 7083 07663.

John Arlott, Jack Hobbs — Profile of ‘The Master’ (London, John Murray and Davis‐Poynter, 1981). Pp. 144. £6.95. ISBN 07195 3886 6 (John Murray) and 0 7067 0214 X (Davis‐Poynter).

Richard S. Gruneau, Class, Sports and Social Development (Amherst, The University of Massachusetts Press, 1983). Pp.x + 213. $18.50 and $9.50. ISBN 0 87023 387 4 and 0 87023 388 2.

R. Roberts, Jack Dempsey: The Manassa Mauler (London, Louisiana State University Press 1984). Pp.314. £8.50. ISBN 8071 1161 9.

Richard Cashman and Michael McKernan (eds.), Sport: Money, Morality and the Media (Kensington, NSW, New South Wales University Press, 1981). Pp. 343. ISBN 0 86840 160 9.     

Book reviews

Sport Psychology: Concepts and Applications F.C. Bakker, H.T.A. Whiting and H. van der Brug, John Wiley, Chichester, 1990 ix + 225 pp., £29.95 (hb), ISBN 0 471 92368 0

Advanced Materials for Sports Equipment K.E. Easterling, Chapman and Hall, London, 1993 xii + 127 pp., £17.50 (pb), ISBN 0 412 40120 7

Sport Psychology: A Self‐help Guide S.J. Bull (ed.), Crowood Press, Marlborough, Wilts, 1991 vi + 208 pp., £14.95 (pb), ISBN 1 85223 568 3

The Human Machine R. McNeil Alexander, Natural History Museum Publications, London, 1992 176 pp., £15.95 (pb), ISBN 0 565 01169 3