Snježana Mraković

Correlations Between Motor Abilities, Morphological Characteristics, and Preparedness for School at Pre-school Boys

Abstract The associations between motor abilities (MA), morphological characteristics (MC), and cognitive preparedness (PP) for school in pre-school aged boys should provide a platform for improved systematic educational work. The main goal of this research is to determine the correlation between children’s MA, MC and PP, using univariate and multivariate statistical methods. Randomized sample of pre-school boys (N=106), aged 6-7, was examined. Eighteen composite motor tests were utilized to measure MA; Test for School Preparedness (TSS) with five sub-tests was used in estimating boys’ PP; additionally, 14 morphological characteristics were measured. Findings revealed that all the canonical correlations were statistically significant: between MA and MC, between MA and PP, as well as between MC and PP. Thus, the correlation is the lowest between MC and PP. MC could be a less important factor for estimating the overall preparedness for school, than boys’ MA at the age of six or seven years.

Differences in Motor and Functional Abilities between Female Students of the University of Zagreb

Abstract The aim of this paper was to determine the differences in motor and functional abilities of female students of the Faculty of Kinesiology (FK), Faculty of Medicine (FM), and Faculty of Teacher Education (FTE). The sample consisted of 255 female students (78 FK, 84 FTE, 93 FM), tested by six motor tests and Astrand test. Statistical analyses showed significant differences between groups. The best results were achieved by the FK students. FM students were better in strength, more flexible and had a better aerobic capacity than FTE, who had faster movement and better coordination. Students FK, who conducted systematic physical activity, had a significantly better motor-functional status, while FTE and FM students, as a result of more sedentary lifestyle, showed a lower status. This research points to the need of the student population for organized and systematic physical exercise during the entire educational period.

Standing Long Jump Performance Quality: Age and Gender Differences / Dobne i spolne razlike u kvaliteti usvojenosti skoka u dalj iz mjesta

Abstract The primary aim of this research was to determine age and gender differences in the quality of fundamental motor skill performance - the standing long jump. The research was conducted on the sample of 72 preschool children (31 girls and 41 boys) aged 5 - 7 years, all attending preschool in Cakovec. General characteristics of the standing long jump skill were assessed using Roberton and Halverson method (1984). Data was collected by video recording the standing long jump from a side angle. The level of motor skills was evaluated by three independent judges. Age and gender differences were calculated by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results of the analysis showed significant statistical differences in jumping skills between younger (5-6 years) and older (6-7 years) group in all the variables. No considerable differences were found in the quality of the standing long jump performance between boys and girls. Key words: preschool children; Roberton and Halverson method, video recording. --- Sažetak Osnovni je cilj ovog istraživanja utvrditi dobne i spolne razlike u kvaliteti usvojenosti motorickoga znanja - skoka u dalj iz mjesta. Istraživanje je provedeno na 72 djece (31 djevojcici i 41 djecaku) u dobi od 5 do 7 godina polaznicima djecjega vrtica u Cakovcu. Primijenjena je skala (Roberton i Halverson, 1984) za procjenu razvojnih karakteristika skoka u dalj iz mjesta. Podaci su prikupljeni snimanjem videokamerom koja je bila postavljena s bocne strane. Procjenu razine znanja napravila su tri strucnjaka. Razlike između spola i dobi izracunate su univarijatnom analizom varijance (ANOVA). Rezultati su pokazali statisticki znacajnu razliku između mlađe i starije dobne skupine u svim varijablama. Znacajne razlike između djevojcica i djecaka u kvaliteti izvedbe skoka u dalj iz mjesta nisu zapažene. Kljucne rijeci: djeca predskolske dobi; Roberton i Halverson metoda; snimanje videokamerom.