Anaerobic fitness of a Sample of Omani Children: Age group from 9-13 years

Abstract

This study aimed to identify the anaerobic capacity level of a sample of Omani children. The sample included 197 children between the ages of 9 to 13 years. The Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST) was used. The sample was divided into five groups. The first group comprised the nine-year olds (19 children), the second group comprised the ten-year olds (22 children), the third group comprised the eleven-year olds (52 children), the fourth group comprised the 12-year olds (43 children), and the fifth comprised the 13-year olds (61 children). The results showed that the anaerobic capacity level improved during the stages of growth. The level of improvement achieved in 13-year old children was the highest compared to the other age-groups (P S 0.000). This improvement was not at a steady rate. It occurred through booms that coincided with growth which appears in practice through the evolution of not only the level of values on the amount of effort, but also in the level of some related motor skills. It showed a positive correlation between the values of the anaerobic capacity level, the time of running 100 meters and vertical jumping (p S 0.01). Accordingly, this phase can be considered one of those booms. Key words: anaerobic capacity, (Running-based Anaerobic Sprint Test (RAST), Omani children, the 100 meters running, vertical jumping.