The Impact of Puberty Physical Development and Heart Rhythm Variables

The objective of the present article is to investigate the impact of puberty on the level of physical development and autonomous control of heart rhythm. The results indicate that both, body height and body mass were lowest in the first puberty stage group of girls. The differences in body height in all the groups investigated were statistically insignificant. A comparison of body mass values indicates that girls belonging to the first group (first puberty stage), have significantly lower values of this variable (p<0.05) than those belonging to the second and third puberty stage groups. Those belonging to the third puberty stage group have the highest body mass. A general overview of heart rhythm frequency (RR) and general rhythmic dispersion (SRR) parameter analysis results shows that the lowest rhythm and the highest rhythmic dispersion is typical of the first puberty stage girls (group 1) whose puberty started later. Meanwhile, the highest and most stable rhythm of the heart is typical of the girls belonging to the highest puberty stage (group 3). The results indicate that faster physical development related to early beginning of puberty leaves behind the development of the basic biological systems. This research shows that more frequent and more stable heart rhythm typical of girls whose puberty starts earlier (group 3) is an indirect manifestation of lower functional capacity of their circulatory systems in comparison with those belonging to groups of slower and later puberty.