[The relationship between adolescents' dermatoglyphic characteristics and skeletal maturation].

OBJECTIVE

This study was aimed at evaluating the relationship between the dermatoglyphic characteristics and skeletal maturation by bone age in male adolescents aged 10 to 14.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The adolescents were divided into 3 groups (early, normal and late) by the difference between their bone and chronological age;their dermatoglyphic characteristics were also verified. The chi-square test was used for comparing the groups.

RESULTS

The early teens'bone age showed greater potential for activities related to power and speed;normal and late teens hadgreater willingness for coordination and cyclic activities. Despite such tendencies, no statistically significant differences were found between the groups which may have been related to the low number of students in the early and normal groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Although no significant differences were found, there was a tendency towards lower coordinative predisposition in advanced individuals which merits attention because this is an important physical quality regarding sport and performing everyday activities.