engleski

CORRELATION BETWEEN CHILDREN’S BIRTH HEIGHT AND WEIGHT AND THEIR KINANTHROPOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS DURING PRESCHOOL AGE

A child’s growth and development and his maturation are influenced by very complex interactions of a variety of factors (endogenous and exogenous), whereby studies indicate that each child has his own growth and development curve. The relationship between genetic and environmental influences has already been established as well as that children born heavier and those who regularly take part in kinesiology programs demonstrate a more advanced motor development. The aim of this research was to determine a possible correlation between a child’s birth height and birth weight with his kinantropological (morphological, motor, and functional) characteristics between the ages of 4 and 6, as well as to find out which tests best determine the correlation between birth height and weight. The sample consisted of 204 girls and boys divided into three sub-samples (below average, average, and above average). 14 anthropometric measurements were applied for the evaluation of morphological characteristics and a system of 11 variables was applied for the evaluation of motor-functional abilities. The T-test for independent samples determined differences between boys and girls in the variables of birth height and weight, whereby it was determined that boys are taller and heavier. The multivariate analysis of variance has established correlations between birth weight and height and some tests: girls who were born shorter and lighter are stronger, while those born heavier are more flexible ; boys who were born heavier have greater skinfolds, boys born lighter are more coordinated, and those born with average values are stronger during the preschool age. The aforementioned research suggests a correlation between birth height and weight with kinantropological characteristics during preschool age.

birth height and weight, kinantropological characteristics, preschool age, connection, differences.

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