Abstract
Background
Skeletal age (SA) is an estimate of biological maturity status that is commonly used in sport-related medical examinations. This study considered intra-observer reproducibility and inter-observer agreement of SA assessments among male tennis players.
Methods
SA was assessed with the Fels method in 97 male tennis players with chronological ages (CA) spanning 8.7–16.8 years. Radiographs were evaluated by two independent trained observers. Based on the difference between SA and CA, players were classified as late, average or early maturing; if a player was skeletally mature, he was noted as such as an SA is not assigned.
Results
The magnitude of intra-individual differences between repeated SA assessments were d = 0.008 year (observer A) and d = 0.001 year (observer B); the respective coefficients of variation were 1.11% and 1.75%. Inter-observer mean differences were negligible (t = 1.252, p = 0.210) and the intra-class correlation coefficient was nearly perfect (ICC = 0.995). Concordance of classifications of players by maturity status between observers was 90%.
Conclusion
Fels SA assessments were highly reproducible and showed an acceptable level of inter-observer agreement between trained examiners. Classifications of players by skeletal maturity status based on assessments of the two observers were highly concordant, though not 100%. The results highlight the importance of experienced observers in skeletal maturity assessments.
Skeletal age (SA) is an estimate of biological maturity status that is commonly used in sport-related medical examinations. This study considered intra-observer reproducibility and inter-observer agreement of SA assessments among male tennis players.
Methods
SA was assessed with the Fels method in 97 male tennis players with chronological ages (CA) spanning 8.7–16.8 years. Radiographs were evaluated by two independent trained observers. Based on the difference between SA and CA, players were classified as late, average or early maturing; if a player was skeletally mature, he was noted as such as an SA is not assigned.
Results
The magnitude of intra-individual differences between repeated SA assessments were d = 0.008 year (observer A) and d = 0.001 year (observer B); the respective coefficients of variation were 1.11% and 1.75%. Inter-observer mean differences were negligible (t = 1.252, p = 0.210) and the intra-class correlation coefficient was nearly perfect (ICC = 0.995). Concordance of classifications of players by maturity status between observers was 90%.
Conclusion
Fels SA assessments were highly reproducible and showed an acceptable level of inter-observer agreement between trained examiners. Classifications of players by skeletal maturity status based on assessments of the two observers were highly concordant, though not 100%. The results highlight the importance of experienced observers in skeletal maturity assessments.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Article number | 196 |
| Number of pages | 8 |
| Journal | BMC Pediatrics |
| Volume | 23 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 26 Apr 2023 |
Bibliographical note
FundingNot applicable.
Availability of data and materials
All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this published article and its supplementary information files.
Funding
The authors are grateful to the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth [IPDJ/FCDEF.UC/2017-01]. PSS, MJCS, DCC, DVM, LPR, TO, JGS, JqMC, TP are currently members of CIDAF (uid/04213/2020). The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) funded PhD grants for Paulo Sousa-e-Silva (SFRH/BD/138608/2018) and Daniela C. Costa (SFRH/BD/138608/2018). The authors are grateful to the Portuguese Institute of Sports and Youth [IPDJ/FCDEF.UC/2017-01]. PSS, MJCS, DCC, DVM, LPR, TO, JGS, JqMC, TP are currently members of CIDAF (uid/04213/2020). The Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology (FCT) funded PhD grants for Paulo Sousa-e-Silva (SFRH/BD/138608/2018) and Daniela C. Costa (SFRH/BD/138608/2018).