Peak Height Velocity: What it is, how to measure, & why its important
Reading Time: 4 minutes
SUMMARY
Peak Height Velocity (PHV) is the period of time where there is the fastest rate in growth of standing stature and is often known as the ‘adolescent growth spurt’. The onset of PHV is typically interpreted as the onset of puberty. During puberty, physical performance is improved through a number of physiological changes that accompany the rapid increase in physical size, as well as structural development of the bones and supporting structures. By measuring PHV, coaches and parents can identify the stage of physical development for their child/athlete, and determine the appropriate and safe training program to prescribe.
What is PHV?
Peak Height Velocity (PHV) is the period of time where there is the fastest rate (a peak) in growth and is often known as the adolescent growth spurt (Lloyd & Oliver, 2012). Typically, this is observed as a rapid increase in standing height (stature) over a relatively short period of time (i.e. the adolescent is growing faster than ever before). Maybe you’ve observed this – a young individual appears to grow an exponential amount in what seems like overnight! This could be considered their PHV, or the fastest rate of their physical growth.
Figure 1. The adolescent growth spurt, and PHV for girls (left) and boys (right). Taken from Canadian Sport for Life (Balyi & Way, 2005)
Why is PHV Important?
The onset of PHV (growth spurt) is typically interpreted as the onset of puberty (Granados, Gebremariam, & Lee, 2015). During this time of rapid growth, physical and athletic performance is improved through a number of changes that accompany the rapid increase in physical size, such as physiological changes (hormones, enzymes etc.), energy metabolism, and structural development of the muscles, bones and supporting structures (Myer et al., 2011). Combined, these adaptations allow a developing adolescent to perform physical tasks relatively better when compared to an undeveloped adolescent, albeit at a cost. With the rapid rate of growth comes an initial loss of coordination and body awareness. However, understanding these changes and knowing how to apply them to physical performance can help ensure optimal physical development.
PHV is typically interpreted as the onset of puberty
when physical performance can be improved
How to measure PHV
PHV is determined by simply measuring standing height at regular intervals (we suggest every 3-6 months). Once several measurements have been obtained, velocity curves (i.e. how fast a child is growing) can be charted. As shown in Figure 1 (above), complete height velocity can be charted and PHV can be observed. Note that Figure 1 shows growth in cm/year with measurements taken every year, however more frequent measurements will help show rate of growth at certain times of development.
One of the inherent problems with measuring PHV in growing adolescents is that it can can only be recognized AFTER it has occurred. Simply put, we don’t know when they are growing their FASTEST and PHV has been reached until after it has already happened, and the velocity curve begins to decline. For this reason, it is important to take regular growth measurements and also to understand typical growth trends for males and females.
Sex Differences in PHV
Females
As observed in Figure 1, males and females typically reach PHV at different times. On average, girls reach PHV at approximately 11.5±1.8 years of age (Kelly et al., 2014). Their growth in stature then tapers off at approximately 14 years old and ends near 16 years old. For females, early puberty was defined as an age of onset <9.6 years, average 9.6-11.1 years, and late puberty as >11.2 years old (Kelly et al., 2014).
Males
Boys average age of PHV occurs approximately 13.5±1.8 years old and begins to taper off at 17 years, with measurable increases ending at 18 years old. Although males typically experience a later PHV, the growth period is typically greater when compared to females. This longer growth period contributes to why an average adult male has greater absolute height compared to adult females (Kelly et al.). For males, early puberty is defined as an age of onset <10.2 years, average puberty being between 10.2-11.8 years, and late puberty as an age of onset >11.8 years.
Early vs Late Bloomers
As described by Kelly and colleagues, an earlier age of PHV (early developer) for both males and females will result in a quicker initial rate of growth but will be followed by a more drastic decrease in growth velocity. This means that an early maturing adolescent will grow fast at first but will stop growing sooner when compared with an average maturing individual. “Late bloomers” will see a later PHV when compared to the average but will typically grow to be the same height as the average (Kelly et al.).
Discussion
The onset of PHV (the greatest rate of physical growth) is typically interpreted as the onset of puberty and during this time an adolescent body undergoes rapid physical growth and physiological changes that influence how they can athletically perform (Granados, Gebremariam, & Lee, 2015). In sport, monitoring a young athletes growth using velocity curves can help determine healthy development as well as appropriate times to adjust training protocols. Using the information described in this article, an understanding of the effective adolescent training protocols can be used to optimize athletic performance.
In physical training and high performance sport, the ongoing development of a young individuals ability to perform is paramount to their success. However, it can be difficult to optimize an adolescent’s performance as they mature due to the rapid physiological changes that occur during puberty. Stay tuned and keep an eye out for our next blog discussing the effects of maturation on physical & athletic performance.
Thanks for reading!
Kalan Anglos, MSc., cscs
Founder: KFit Conditioning
References
Granados, A., Gebremariam, A., & Lee, J. (2015). Relationship between timing of peak height velocity and pubertal staging in boys and girls. Journal of Clinical Research in Pediatric Endocrinology, 7(3), 235-237.
Kelly, A., Karen, Winer, K., Kalkwarf, H., Oberfield, S., Gilsanz, J., & Zemel, B. (2014). Age-based reference ranges for annual height velocity in US children. Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism, 99(6), 2104-2112.
Lloyd, R.S., & Oliver, J.L. (2012). The youth physical development model: A new approach to long-term athletic development. Strength and Conditioning Journal, 34(3), 61-72.
Myer, G.D., Faigenbaum, A.D., Ford, K.R., Best, T.M., Bergeron, M.F. & Hewett, T.E. (2011). When to initiate integrative neuromuscular training to reduce sport-related injuries and enhance health in youth. Current Sports Medicine Reports, 10, 157-166.
