engleski

Differences in the ball throwing technique in preschool children

Although gender differences have been noted in many motor tasks, differences are minimal during early childhood. In the pre-school period the differences start to increase. Throwing is one of the most useful basic motor skills and is included in various sports such as baseball, softball, basketball, handball, soccer and cricket (Gallahue, Ozmun & Goodway, 2012). The aim of this study was to determine the differences in the technique of ball throwing and its structural elements in preschool children. The sample consisted of 229 preschool children aged 3 to 7 enrolled in three kindergarten in capital of Croatia. Measurement of the ball throwing technique is part of the Test of Gross Motor Development - 2 testing kit (Ulrich, 2000). Analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Bonferroni post-hoc test were used to determine differences in throwing technique between boys and girls, as well in four technique elements. The main results of this study show that significant differences exists between boys and girls in the ball throwing (p <0.05). The Bonferroni post-hoc test shows that boys are significantly better (2.32) in ball throw score than girls (1.20). Furthermore, the results show that boys are better at three ball throwing performance criteria (p <0.05)(body rotation, opposite leg transferring weight, diagonal arm swing after throw), except in the first – preparatory arm swing. These results are in line with some (Junaid & Fellowes, 2006 ; Gromeler, Koester & Schack, 2017) but not all previous research (Pennington, 2002 ; Moser & Reikeras, 2016). Junaid and Fellowes determined boys were better in ball skills in research on gender differences in 7 and 8 year old children using Movement Assessment Baterry for Children Test, and in quality of movement analysis (Gromeler et al. ; 2016) of children 6-16 years of age differences in movements of trunk, step and swing in throwing a ball which is comparable to our performance criteria of weight transfer, body rotation and diagonal swing at end of throw. In research of Pennington (2002) and Moser and Reikeras (2016) on preschool children, boys and girls did not differ in manipulation skills and ball games skills, respectively. Practical application of this research would imply modifications of preschool physical education classes and organized games containing ball throw when girls and boys exercise together.

motor skill, gender, overarm throw

nije evidentirano