PHYSIQUE AND MATURATION RATE IN MALE ADOLESCENTS1

Abstract

The nature of the relation between physical maturation rate in males and their body builds has been a topic of continuing research interest, most recently evidenced by Dupertuis and Michael (4) in this journal. Selecting extreme somatotype subgroups, they observe that, in contrast to ectomorphic males mesomorphs were found to grow faster and to mature (4, P. 212). Mesomorphic acceleration appeared in age of maximum growth, but most clearly in per cent of mature height attained at given chronological ages. Working from maturational differences, Tanner (13) assessed body build for four maturity groups based upon remembered age (by 19- to 2x-yearolds) at which pubic hair was first noticed. He finds that mesomorphy decreases progressively from the earliest to the latest maturing group; the reverse ordering occurs for ectomorphy. Indirect support for this latter conclusion may be drawn from Richey (io) who demonstrates that late maturing males (as measured by age of appearance of axillary hair) have lowest weight-for-height at maturity, an indicator of ectomorphy. Bayley (i) seems to agree in this respect, reporting that boys who mature late tend to be relatively narrow-hipped and long-legged, thus presumably ectomorphic. Reynolds and Wines (9), however, find some tendency in ectomorphs to mature earlier sexually in comparison with mesomorphs. The consensus of these investigations thus permits only the tentative generalization that mesomorphy and/or ectomorphy may be related, but in opposite directions, to maturation rate during the adolescent growth period. Various other questions, however, may be asked. Thus, since the two components are themselves negatively correlated, it remains possible that only