Includes bibliographical references and index.

Contents:Part One: Introducing the basics of growth, maturation, and physical activity: Introductory concepts -- The study of growth, maturation and performance -- Prenatal growth and development -- Part Two: Age and sex-associated variation in growth: Somatic growth -- Development of physique -- Models and methods for studying body composition -- Bone tissue in skeletal growth and body composition -- Muscle tissue changes during growth -- Heart, blood, and lung changes during growth -- Part Three: Age and sex-associated variation in performance: Motor development during infancy and childhood -- Strength and motor performance during growth -- Aerobic power and capacity during growth -- Anaerobic power and capacity during growth -- Part Four: Biological maturation: Biological maturation: Concept and assessment -- Timing and sequence of changes in growth, maturation, and performance during adolescence -- Maturity-associated variation in growth -- Maturity-associated variation in performance -- Part Five: Regulatory and influencing factors: Genetic regulation of growth, maturation, and performance -- Endocrine regulation of growth and maturation -- Energy and nutritional requirements -- Physical activity as a factor in growth, maturation, and performance -- Other factors affecting growth and maturation -- Other factors affecting performance -- Part Six:The child in physical activity and sport: Applications: Risk factors and children's health -- Characteristics of young athletes.