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ObjectiveTo determine whether the timing of puberty associates with school performance.MethodsGrowth data on 13,183 children born between 1997 and 2002, were collected from child health clinics and school healthcare and school performance data from school records. Age at peak height velocity (PHV) marked pubertal timing. The relationships between age at PHV and average grades in mathematics, native language, English, and physical education from school years 6 (end of elementary school; age 11-12 years), 7 (start of middle school; 12-13 years), and 9 (end of middle school; 14-15 years) were modeled using generalized estimating equations and linear mixed models, adjusted for the month of birth and annual income and education levels in school catchment areas.ResultsThe mean (SD) age at PHV was 13.54 (1.17) years in boys and 11.43 (1.18) years in girls. In girls, age at PHV was associated with grades in mathematics (β=0.041–0.062, pConclusionsIn both sexes, the timing of puberty was associated with the grades in physical education, and in girls, with academic achievement. The decrease in boys’ mathematics grades and sex difference in academic achievement were unexplained by the timing of puberty.

Aims of this study were to identify student clusters in physical appearance, sport competence, global physical self-concept and self-esteem, and to examine whether different physical self-concept groups differ in their moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and sedentary behaviour. Participants of the study were 211 boys and 183 girls aged 13-16 years. MVPA and sedentary behaviour were monitored by GT3X accelerometers during seven days. Participants’ physical self-concept was measured by the short Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. Latent profile analyses revealed a four-cluster solution: 1) “low sport competence, moderate global physical self-concept and self-esteem, and high physical appearance”; 2) “high sport competence, moderate global physical self-concept and self-esteem, and low physical appearance”; 3) “moderate sport competence, global physical self-concept, self-esteem, and physical appearance”, and 4) “moderate sport competence and global physical self-concept, high self-esteem, and low physical appearance”. Multivariate analysis of variance showed differences in MVPA between boys’ in clusters 2 and 3 (p < .05). Students’ MVPA levels differ by physical self-concept profiles. Resumen Los objetivos del estudio fueron identificar grupos de estudiantes en apariencia física, competencia deportiva, autoconcepto físico global y autoestima, y examinar si los diferentes grupos de autoconcepto físico difieren en su actividad física moderada-vigorosa (AFMV) y comportamiento sedentario. Los participantes del estudio fueron 211 varones y 183 mujeres de 13-16 años. La AFMV y el comportamiento sedentario fueron monitorizados por acelerómetros GT3X durante siete días. El autoconcepto físico de los estudiantes fue medido por la versión corta del Physical Self-Description Questionnaire. Los análisis de perfil latente revelaron una solución de cuatro grupos: 1) “baja competencia deportiva, moderado autoconcepto físico global y autoestima, y alta apariencia física”; 2) alta competencia deportiva, moderado autoconcepto físico global y autoestima, y baja apariencia física”; 3) “moderada competencia deportiva, autoconcepto físico global, autoestima, y apariencia física”; y 4) “moderada competencia deportiva y autoconcepto físico global, alta autoestima, y baja apariencia física”. Los análisis multivariados de la varianza mostraron diferencias en la AFMV entre los grupos de chicos 2 y 3 (p < ,05). Los niveles de AFMV de los estudiantes difieren según los perfiles de autoconcepto físico.

L’objectif de cette étude est de comparer les attitudes et comportements alimentaires inappropriés (ACAI) ainsi que les caractéristiques psychosociales - anxiété physique sociale, perceptions du soi physique, pression perçue pour être mince - entre deux niveaux de pratique sportive (intensive et de loisir). Cent quarante-six adolescents français ont rempli un ensemble de questionnaires. Les résultats indiquent que, comparativement aux sportifs qui s’entraînent en loisir, les sportifs de niveau intensif sont plus nombreux à avoir recours à des ACAI, ils ressentent également plus d’insatisfaction corporelle et d’anxiété physique sociale, ils sont moins satisfaits de leur apparence physique et ressentent plus de pression pour mincir., The aim of this study is to compare inappropriate attitude and eating behaviors (IAEB) and psychosocial characteristics - physical social anxiety, physical self-perceptions, perceived pressure to be thin - between two levels of sport practice (intensive and recreational). A set of questionnaires was completed by 146 French adolescents. Results indicate that compared to recreational athletes, those training at an intensive level are more likely to resort to IAEB. Moreover, elite athletes also suffer more from body dissatisfaction and social physical anxiety, are less satisfied with their physical appearance, and are feeling more pressure to be thinner.

Purpose:This study examined the effects of a five-week intervention combining vigorous interval training (VIT) with diet among twenty-four obese adolescents. Fourteen girls and ten boys (aged 14–15) schooled in a pediatric rehabilitation center participated. Methods:The VIT intensity was targeted and remained above 80% of maximal heart rate (HR) and over six kilocalories per minute. Pre- and postintervention measures were body composition (BMI, weight, body fat percentage), physical self-perceptions (PSP), physical fitness (6-min walking distance and work) and its associated physiological responses (HRpeak and blood lactate concentration). A series of two-way analyses of variance or covariance controlling for weight loss were used to examine the changes. Results:Significant improvements were found in body composition, physical fitness and PSP (endurance, activity level, sport competence, global physical self-concept and appearance). In addition, boys presented higher levels of perceived strength and global physical self-concept than girls. Finally, there was a significant increase in perceived endurance, sport competence, and global physical self-concept in girls only. Conclusion:This five-week VIT program combined with diet represents an effective means for improving body composition, physical fitness, and PSP in obese adolescents, the effects on PSP being larger among girls.

The purpose of this study was to test a model of the effects of athletes' eating disorders on coach, sport friend and parent social relationships and peer social acceptance through physical self-perceptions (i.e. perceived physical appearance and perceived physical ability). The sample comprised 199 elite female figure skaters. The data were analysed using structural equation modelling. Our results showed that the effects of athletes' eating disorders on social relationships were not mediated by physical self-perceptions. Athletes' eating disorders directly negatively influenced the quality of the parent–athlete relationship, thus confirming previous findings in young adults. Contrary to the literature, eating disorders were positively related to perceived physical ability. This paradoxical finding is discussed in relation to achievement theories and the particularity of the sport context. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd and Eating Disorders Association