engleski

DIFFERENCES BETWEEN FIFTH AND SIXTH GRADERS SOCCER PLAYERS, HANDBALL PLAYERS AND STUDENTS WHO DO NOT DO SPORTS IN INDICATORS OF CONDITION PREPAREDNESS

Introduction Physical activity has the potential to improve the quality of life in areas of physical and mental health, social interaction and presumably help students in improving their academic achievements. The aim of the present study was to examine differences between indicators of condition preparedness in elementary school students. Methods The sample consisted of seventy-five students of the fifth and sixth grades of elementary school. Students were divided into three groups while each group consisted of twenty-five students. The first group was comprised of students who practiced soccer, the second group of students practiced handball while the third, respectively the last group was comprised of students who do not do sports. Eight tests were conducted for the assessment of indicators of condition preparedness. Four of them referred to assessment of morphological characteristics, three tests assessed motor skills and one test was used for the assessment of functional abilities. Results Statistically significant differences were found in all variables. Students who do not do sports were significantly higher than students who practiced soccer, while in terms of all other tests used for the assessment of morphological characteristics, motor skills and functional abilities students who do not do sports had significantly lower results than students who practiced soccer and students who practiced handball. Statistically significant difference was found in only one variable which measured body weight, between students who practiced soccer and students who practiced handball. Conclusions By improving their physical fitness children could lead healthier lives all while promoting physical activity in adulthood.

distinction, school, activity level, characteristics, abilities

nije evidentirano