Naslov
Secular trends of motor abilities and BMI among adolescents from 1998 to 2018

Autori
Kunješić Sušilović, Mateja ; Hraski, Marijana ; Sušilović, Jozo

Izvornik
Croatian Journal of Education = Hrvatski časopis za odgoj i obrazovanje (1848-5189) 24 (2022), 2; 489-506

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

Ključne riječi
anthropometric characteristics ; boys and girls ; transversal research

Sažetak
Continuous observation of the state and trend in adolescents’ physical fitness and BMI (body mass index) is a major indicator of health and well- being sustainability in youth. Because of that, the main goal of this study is to determine secular changes in anthropometric characteristics and some motor abilities of adolescents over a period of 20 years. The research included a total of 177 high school students, 15-16 years old. The first measurement was conducted in 1998 and involved 89 students (63 girls and 26 boys), and the second measurement was conducted in 2018 and involved 88 students (53 girls and 35 boys). Body height and body weight of all participants were measured. Additional tests were performed to asses motor skills: standing long jump (explosive strength), sit and reach (flexibility), sit ups (repetitive strength) and polygon backward (coordination). T-test with descriptive statistics was used to determine the differences between two generations and between genders. The present study indicates no statistically significant difference in anthropometric characteristics among adolescents during the last 20 years. The boys and girls aged 15 and 16 measured in 2018 are slightly taller, heavier, and the BMI is almost the same as in the generation measured in 1998. In terms of motor abilities between the generations of adolescents measured in 1998 and 2018, no negative trend was found except in flexibility, where subjects measured 20 years ago showed statistically better results. The results of this research indicate that the promotion of free play and exercise, the opportunities to participate in organized sports and the quality implementation of physical education classes are very important for contributing to the improvement of motor abilities and maintaining positive anthropometric characteristics in adolescents population.

Izvorni jezik
Engleski

Znanstvena područja
Interdisciplinarne društvene znanosti

POVEZANOST RADA