[Indicators of circulation, respiration and muscle strength in puberty].

Abstract

Measure of vital capacity, grasping strength, stature, weight, and systolic and diastolic blood pressure as well as pulse frequency, both before and after exertion, were made on 165 twelve to fourteen year-old boys and girls from Hamburg schools-(Gymnasium). Age and sex showed significant mean differences on these measures, but not constantly so. Analysis of variance indicated some influence of age and sex, but these variables explained only a small part of total variance of physiological measures. Partial correlations clarified that age affects physiological measures primarily through its influence on height and weight. Only a few indicators showed a direct influence of maturity (i.e. menarchy) among girls.