The level of general physical performance and physical development of 7 and 10-year-old boys and girls

Abstract

This contribution deals with the level of general physical performance and physical development of 7 and 10-year-old pupils attending primary schools. The sample consisted of pupils from all primary schools in Banska Bystrica: 492 pupils attending the 1st grade and 433 pupils attending the 4th grade. The following indicators of general physical performance were monitored: sit-and-reach, standing long jump, sit-ups in 30 s, flexed arm hang, shuttle run 4x10 meters, endurance shuttle run. Also basic somatic indicators such as body height, body weight and BMI were found out. In both age categories we found out that male pupils achieved better level in five tests of general physical performance: standing long jump, sit-up, flexed arm hang, shuttle-run 4 x 10 m and endurance shuttle-run. At the age of 7, male pupils are statistically significantly better in three tests (p<0.05) and at the age of 10, they are better in four tests (p<0.05). Girls achieve statistically significantly better level of trunk flexibility (p<0.05). 7-years old boys and girls achieve better level of joint flexibility than 10-years old boys and girls. In other tests, the 10-year-old boys and girls are better.