1 Maximum Repetition (1MR) tests have been used in research on strength training effects in children and adolescents. However, little is known about the association between 1MR tests and morphologic, neuromotor and biological maturation variables. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to analyze the relationship between 1MR tests and body composition, anthropometric variables, neuromotor tests and biological maturation. For such purpose, correlational methodology was used. The study involved 10 boys with average age of 10.28 (±2.20) years old. The variables analyzed were: body mass, stature, circumferences, skinfolds and biological maturation (pubic and axillary hair and genital development). Hence the sample was submitted to a battery of five neuromotor tests and six 1MR tests sessions for upper (UL) and lower (LL) limbs. Data analysis was developed using the Shapiro-Wilk's test (p<0.05), descriptive statistics and the Spearman Correlation Coefficient (p < 0.01; P< 0.05). A strong correlation between age and the 1MR load for UL and moderate for LL was found. Stature presented a moderate correlation with 1MR of UL and strong correlation for 1MR of LL; absolute lean body mass presented moderate and strong correlation for UL and LL, respectively. The 1MR test for UL presented moderate correlation for pubic hair and strong correlation for axillary hair. These results indicated a multifactorial influence in the 1MR test loads demonstrating the importance in the use of morphological aspects, biological maturation and/or chronological age in the results analysis. Considering the weak relationship between the neuromotor and the 1MR tests, although they have been well used in research related to strength training on children and adolescents, their results should be carefully used when the purpose is to get information on the magnitude effects of strength training in that age range.
muscle strength; sexual maturation; children and adolescents; strength training
