The Effect of Growth Hormone Treatment on Physical Performance Indices in Children With Idiopathic Short Stature.
Pediatr Exerc Sci 2021;
33:70-73. [PMID:
33837161 DOI:
10.1123/pes.2020-0061]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2020] [Revised: 01/07/2021] [Accepted: 02/03/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE
To examine the effect of growth hormone (GH) treatment on physical performance in children with idiopathic short stature and normal GH secretion.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A total of 24 children participated in the study (13 GH-treated, 11 non-treated, aged 8-13 y, 11 males and 13 females, Tanner stage 1-2). Participants performed a battery of motor skill performance tests (Eurofit), as well as the Wingate anaerobic test.
RESULTS
No statistically significant differences in any of the Eurofit physical fitness test results (eg, 20-m shuttle run 33.0 [15.1] vs 25.1 [21.0] laps in treated and nontreated participants, respectively, P = .25) or the Wingate anaerobic test were found between the groups (eg, peak power 5.0 [2.9] vs 3.9 [2.6] watts/kg in treated and nontreated participants, respectively, P = .2).
CONCLUSIONS
Therapeutic usage of exogenous GH for pre and early pubertal children with idiopathic short stature and normal GH secretion was not associated with beneficial effects on physical performance indices. This suggests that the use of GH as a potential performance enhancing agent, in this age group, at least at commonly used doses, is not advantageous.
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