engleski

Sex differences in the balance of preschool children

During the preschool age, children continue to develop the basics of movement and motor skills, that is, to a great extent, they develop balance, stability and posture control. The aim of the study is to determine the differences between preschool boys and girls in the conducted balance tests. The study sample included a total of 63 subjects, of which 26 girls and 37 boys, 6.5 years of age (0.6 months). The children attended the „Čukarica” kindergarten in Belgrade. A battery of four tests was used: Standing on one leg with closed eyes (MRAV), Standing on reversed balance bench (MSOK), Standing on one leg longitudinally on the balance bench (MSUK) and Balancing on one leg standing on a low beam of set dimensions „Flamingo” test. Using the MANOVA analysis, no statistically significant difference was found between boys and girls in the applied variables used to evaluate the balance. Analysing the applied variables individually, in ANOVA analysis, no statistically significant differences were found between boys and girls. Based on the arithmetic mean values, girls performed better in the MRAV, MSUK and Flamingo tests, where boys achieved better results in the balance tests compared to the girls in the MSOK test. The results show that additional questionnaires should be included the in the study of balance in order to obtain information on children’s sports engagements which could contribute to differences in results. In addition to that, tests have to be performed and conducted on a both dominant and a non-dominant leg so that the obtained results are not misinterpreted.

preschool age ; boys ; girls ; differences ; balance

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