7. Age & Sex Differences

Puberty

A period in which secondary sex characteristics develop, transforming a child into a young adult.

Interindividual Differences

Variations in physical development among individuals at the same chronological age.

Epiphyseal Plate

The growth plate located at the ends of long bones where new bone growth occurs.

Peak Strength

The maximum strength attained, which usually occurs by age 20 in untrained women and between 20-30 in untrained men.

Youth Resistance Training

A form of exercise that can positively influence health and fitness measures for children.

Female Athlete Triad

Interconnections between energy availability, menstrual function, and bone mineral density, particularly in female athletes.

ACL Injury

Anterior cruciate ligament injury, which female athletes are at an increased risk of compared to males.

Osteopenia

A bone mineral density that is between -1 and -2.5 standard deviations of the young adult mean.

Osteoporosis

A bone mineral density that falls below -2.5 standard deviations of the young adult mean.

Neuromotor Function

The ability to perform movements and maintain balance, which can decline with aging.

Trainability of Older Adults

The capacity of older adults to improve strength and functional ability despite aging-related changes.

Dynamic Warm-Up

Exercises performed before resistance training to prepare the body and reduce injury risk.

Resistance Training Guidelines for Youth

Recommendations to gradually increase resistance, monitor tolerance, and ensure safety during training.

Muscular Strength

The amount of force a muscle can produce, which decreases with age but can be improved with resistance training.

Recovery Strategies

Well-planned methods to help athletes recuperate and avoid overuse injuries.