Adolescent athletes may be at risk of restricted growth and delayed maturation when intense training is combined with insufficient energy intake. Because catch-up growth commonly occurs when training is reduced or ceases, final adult stature may not be compromised. However, in athletes who have long-term, clinically delayed maturation, catch-up growth may be incomplete. Charting individual growth patterns assists in the identification of athletes at increased risk of reduced growth. This then allows physicians, coaches, and athletic trainers to modify the training environment, specifically reducing training intensity and increasing energy intakes.
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