Stability of motor talent in young Brazilian students.

Abstract

This study evaluated the evolution and stability of motor talent diagnosis in young students of a military college, as well as the biological maturation effect on the range of variation of anthropometric and motor indicators. A total of 299 students of both sexes (11 to 17 yrs old) participated in a battery of tests to assess body size, flexibility, isometric strength, explosive strength, speed, endurance, and somatic maturation. Schoolchildren with scores above the 98th percentile (P98) were classified as motor-talented. Anthropometric and motor indicators showed high stability after 9 months. However, motor talent diagnosis showed low stability. The range of variation of the indicators was higher in late-maturing schoolchildren, but only for body mass and height (boys), and handgrip strength (girls). It was concluded that there is a high stability of motor talent indicators but low stability of motor talent diagnosis, considering P98 and that the range of variation observed was partially dependent on maturation.