Sensory and motor development during adolescence and teenage years
Before the adolescent growth spurt, the strength of boys and girls is about the same, but afterward males most often have the advantage.
During these years of rapid physical growth, adolescents may be somewhat awkward or clumsy as they get used to longer limbs and bigger bodies. Their brains need time to adjust to the growing body and must establish new connections (synapses) for coordination to improve.
Strength can be increased further in both sexes by participation in sports and exercise programs. A large and growing percentage of teens do not participate in the recommended amount of physical activity. Many teens become less active as they enter middle and high school and organized sport activities become more competitive.
Sometimes parents must urge their teens to get off the couch and exercise. Teens can often be motivated by the example set by their parents—if regular exercise is a normal part of family life, it will seem a natural habit to fall into or maintain for teens. Also, talk with your teen about the physical benefits of exercise, such as improving mood or energy level.
Although competitive sports are an excellent way for teens to be physically active while learning valuable socialization skills, recognize that they are not for everyone. Make sure to focus on physical activity itself, in whatever form is most comfortable.
Certainly, teens should avoid competition that stresses winning over everything else, including sportsmanship and neglected schoolwork. Additionally, sometimes teens who compete in sports run a risk of injury, such as smaller teens who play football or teens who diet to maintain their weight for gymnastics or wrestling.
| Author: | Amy Fackler, MA Lila Havens | Last Updated: March 22, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics Louis Pellegrino, MD - Developmental Pediatrics | |
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