This study was carried out to assess the variables related to menarche and to find the relationship between menarcheal age and physical growth and strength. The total number of 463 girls was drawn from the second grade of a high school in Seoul. For data collection, the survey was conducted during March 25-April 3, 1991 by using prepared, questionnaire on menarche and record of physical growth and strength (during ten years).
The major results are summarized as follows:
1. An average age of menarche was 13.06 years. The earliest age was ´9 years and the latest age was 15 years. As for the relationship between menarcheal appearance and seasons, the most common seasons were found to be winter and summer.
2. In the pattern of physical growth by age at menarche, the early menarcheal age group was characterized by greater physical growth in height, weight and chest girth than that of the late menarcheal age group.
3. The early menarcheal age group was generally well grown as measured by relative body weight, body mass index, vervaeck index, and body fat percentage and body fat weight when compared to that of late menarcheal age group. 4. In annual increments of physical growth by age at menarche, the early menarcheal age group was characterized by greater maximum value of annual increments of height, weight and chest-girth than that of the late menarcheal age group,! There was a rapid physical growth during the period immediately before and after thel menarche; subsequent to this period, there showed a tendency to decrease in the rate of growth as determined by height, weight and chest-girth growth.
5. The menarcheal age was earlier in good growth group which showed greater height, weight and chest-girth during a six year period (6-11 years old) before menarche.
6. The obese group showed earlier menarcheal age than the emaciated group.
7. Finally, there were statistically significant differences between the menarcheal age groups and the mean points of physical strength tests from 800m run, sit-ups and hanging, bent-arm which were measured from the subjects between ages 10-15.
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