engleski

Some fitness indicators of preschool children and their relations with body mass index

The study intended to evaluate relationships of EUROFIT motor test with body mass index of children at the age of six. On the sample of 68 children at a mean age of 6.17 years (&plusmn ; ; .67), eight fitness tasks was measured along with weight and height. Statistically significant gender differences in anthropometry were not established while in motor test boys performed better in standing long jump (F=6.64 ; df=1, 65 ; p<.012) and grip strength (F=7.02 ; df=1, 65 ; p<.01). In stepwise multiple regression analysis, BMI in total sample was associated with grip strength with a beta weight of .447 (B= .21, t=3.63, p= .0006), sit & reach with a beta weight of -.314 (B= -.09, t= -2.47, p= .017), sit-ups with a beta weight of -. 342 (B= -.05, t= -2.50, p= .017), R2 indicated that 23% (p= .002) of the variance in BMI was accounted by the fitness measures. The tasks were modestly intercorrelated in the range of .26 to .60. Further aspects of children fitness in the light of health enhancing physical activity are discussed.

preschool children; fitness; BMI; EUROFIT; gender differences

Glavni urednik Konferencije prof. dr. sc. Vladimir Šimović