Associations Between Anthropometric Variables, Maturation, Physical Activity and Jumping Performance in Adolescents: A Sex-Specific Analysis

Abstract

Lower-limb strength is a health and performance indicator in adolescents, although its assessment often fails to account for the influence of sex and biological development. This study aimed to analyze the associations between anthropometric parameters, maturational status, and physical activity levels with jumping performance in adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted with male and female adolescents (mean age: 13.60 ± 1.50 years). Anthropometric variables, maturational status, and physical activity levels were assessed. Performance was measured using the Countermovement Jump (CMJ) and Standing Broad Jump (SBJ). In males, jumping performance was significantly associated with height (p = 0.002), lower-limb length (p < 0.001), and muscle mass (p < 0.001). However, fat mass emerged as a substantial factor, exhibiting a large effect size on performance (p < 0.001). Maturational status in males showed significant differences, with late maturers performing lower than on-time and early maturers (p < 0.023). In females, structural anthropometry and maturation showed limited-to-no significant associations with performance, except for a negative association with fat mass (p < 0.035) and a positive association between muscle mass and CMJ (p < 0.020). Active adolescents of both sexes performed significantly better than inactive ones in both CMJ and SBJ (p < 0.011). In conclusion, jumping performance in adolescents is characterized by marked sexual dimorphism. In males, greater height, lower-limb length, lower fat mass, and early maturation are positively associated with superior performance. Conversely, in females, these factors exhibit limited influence on jump outcomes.