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International Journal of Legal Medicine
Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine 1/2017

01-01-2017 | Review

Age estimation in competitive sports

Authors: Maximilian Timme, Jürgen Michael Steinacker, Andreas Schmeling

Published in: International Journal of Legal Medicine | Issue 1/2017

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Abstract

To maintain the principle of sporting fairness and to protect the health of athletes, it is essential that age limits for youth sporting competitions are complied with. Forensic scientists have developed validated procedures for age estimation in living individuals. Methods have also been published for age estimation in competitive sports. These methods make use of the ossification stage of an epiphyseal plate to draw conclusions about an athlete’s age. This article presents published work on the use of magnetic resonance imaging for age estimation in competitive sports. In addition, it looks at the effect on age estimation of factors such as an athlete’s socioeconomic status, the use of hormones and anabolic substances as well as chronic overuse of the growth plates. Finally, recommendations on the components required for a valid age estimation procedure in competitive sports are suggested.
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Metadata
Title
Age estimation in competitive sports
Authors
Maximilian Timme
Jürgen Michael Steinacker
Andreas Schmeling
Publication date
01-01-2017
Publisher
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Published in
International Journal of Legal Medicine / Issue 1/2017
Print ISSN: 0937-9827
Electronic ISSN: 1437-1596
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00414-016-1456-7

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