If norms are derived from a general population, what adjustment might be made when applying to youth athletes?

• A. Use the same adult norms
• B. Use age- and sex-appropriate norms
• C. Ignore age differences
• D. Rely solely on subjective assessments

Answer: (B)

When interpreting test results for youth athletes, growth and maturation drive how performance should be compared. Performance on many tests changes with age and differs between sexes as children develop, so you need norms that reflect those specific groups. Using norms from the general population without separating by age and sex can misrepresent a young athlete’s abilities because they’re at a different development stage than the reference group. Ignoring age differences would skip an important factor that influences outcomes, and relying only on subjective impressions isn’t objective or consistent. The most appropriate approach is to apply age- and sex-appropriate norms to ensure a fair and meaningful interpretation.