Naslov
Nutritional and motor skills status of third and fourth grade students

Autori
Badrić, Marko ; Roca, Leona ; Pelemiš, Vladan

Izvornik
Sport science (1840-3662) 14 (2021), 2; 56-62

Vrsta, podvrsta i kategorija rada
Radovi u časopisima, članak, znanstveni

Ključne riječi
body mass index (BMI), motor skills, obesity, physical activity, health

Sažetak
Over the last few years, childhood obesity has increased significantly. One of the proven reasons is reduced physical activity from an early age. Low levels of physical activity in students negatively affect the development of their motor skills, as well as their overall health. The aim of this study was to identify the differences in the level of motor skills in relation to the level of nutrition in students of the third and fourth grade of primary school. The sample included 212 students, 105 of which were boys and 107 girls aged 9.77 ± 0.69 years. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, triceps skin fold, back skinfold, abdominal circumference, body mass index, and body fat percentage were used to assess body composition. Height was measured with the anthropometer, and weight with a body composition measurement device - Omron BF500 Body Composition Monitor. Skin folds were measured using the Lange Skinfold calliper. Motor skills were tested with standardised and validated tests that are being used in primary education in the Republic of Croatia and Europe (Findak, Metikoš, Mraković, & Neljak, 1996 ; Eurofit, 1988). Based on the calculated body mass index, and by using tables recommended by the International Obesity Task Force (Cole et al., 2000), subjects were classified into three groups based on their nutritional status: normal weight, overweight, and obese. The results of the study show significant differences between subsamples in motor skills in relation to their level of nutrition. Two discriminant functions were obtained, the first of which was significant at the significance level of p = 0.0000. Variables that significantly differentiate subsamples based on their level of nutrition are standing long jump (p = 0.0049) and sit ups (p = 0.0000). Based on the obtained and analysed results, it can be concluded that students with normal weight have significantly better motor skills results. Well-developed motor skills are one of the prerequisites for the normal physical development of children. Encouraging children to engage in continuous physical exercise is one of the prerequisites for the proper development of motor skills.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Kineziologija, Interdisciplinarne društvene znanosti, Obrazovne znanosti (psihologija odgoja i obrazovanja, sociologija obrazovanja, politologija obrazovanja, ekonomika obrazovanja, antropologija obrazovanja, neuroznanost i rano učenje, pedagoške discipline)

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