Izvorni znanstveni članak
The Percentage of Body Fat in Children and the Level of their Motor Skills
Ivan Prskalo
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Teacher Education, Zagreb, Croatia
Marko Badrić
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Teacher Education, Zagreb, Croatia
Mateja Kunješić
; University of Zagreb, Faculty of Teacher Education, Zagreb, Croatia
Sažetak
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of overweight and obesity among primary education pupils and
to identify differences in motor skills between normal weight, excessive and obese pupils. Partial aim was to determine
differences in motor status of girls and boys and their anthropometric characteristics (Body Mass Index, body fat percentage).
The study was conducted in two primary schools in Zagreb, Ivan Goran Kovačić and Davorin Trstenjak. Total of
333 pupils, aged 7–11, were measured (178 boys and 155 girls). Four anthropometric and seven motor variables were used
to analyze differences in motor abilities of children. Children were divided into three groups within gender based on their
body fat measures. We established a statistically signifi cant difference in motor abilities between groups of subjects in
three subsamples (1st–2nd class girls and 3rd–4th boys and girls). Children with normal weight have better results in explosive
strength, coordination, static strength of arm and shoulder than children who are overweight and obese. The differences
are not observed in motor variables where body weight is not a requisite for effi cient execution of movement. Differences
in motor skills by gender showed that boys are better in coordination, speed of the simple movements, explosive and
repetitive strength, and girls are better in fl exibility. The conclusion of this study confi rmed the existence of differences in
the development of motor skills in children with normal body weight compared to children who are overweight or obese.
These facts prove that excessive body weight has negative repercussions on motor performance.
Ključne riječi
pupils; obesity; percentage body fat; motor skills
Hrčak ID:
147592
URI
Datum izdavanja:
14.7.2015.
Posjeta: 1.164 *