engleski

Metric characteristics of tests for assessing coordination, speed and balance in four-year-old children

The aim of this pilot study was to determine the metric characteristics of tests for assessing coordination, speed and balance in preschool children. For the purpose of this study, a sample of 59 boys and girls was measured. The respondents were selected from three kindergartens in the city of Zagreb and their age ranged from 48 +/- 6 months. The variables were composed of six motor tests of which two test were for assessing coordination (walking on all fours around the stand and eight with bending), two for assessing speed (two-leg jumping hoops and 10m running) and two for testing balance (standing on one leg and walking on the narrowed field). The collected data were analysed by statistical software Statistica 12. The reliability of the test was determined by calculating inter item correlation (r II), and Cronbach alpha (a). The basic descriptive parameters were calculated: arithmetic mean (M), standard deviation (SD), the asymmetry (SKEW) and degree of peakedness (KURT) of distribution for determining the sensitivity while the normality was tested by the K-S test. The homogeneity was estimated by univariate analysis of variance (F test and the level of significance p<0.05). Factorial validity of tests was calculated by factor analysis. The results of this research will provide the answer whether the selected tests can be used to assess motor abilities in four- year- old children. This is a pilot study and the results will be helpful for future research related to motor abilities of preschool children.

motor abilities ; preschool children ; test reliability

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