Differences in Level of Physical Fitness of Students in relation to gender at the ages between 11 to 14-Years

Abstract

This research was conducted on a sample of 4,090 respondents of Macedonian nationality, from 19 primary schools from Central and Eastern Macedonia, 8 out of which are located in rural areas and 11 in urban environments. Each sub-sample is divided, according to chronological age, into 4 age groups in the span of one calendar year. The aim of this research is to measure the development of the fitness skills of boys and girls between the ages of 11 to 14 years and to assess the differences between them. 3 variables for anthropometric measurements, 2 variables for body composition, and 8 fitness tests of the international battery of EUROFIT were adopted for the purposes of the research. The obtained data was processed using appropriate multivariate and univariate parametric statistical procedures. The discriminant analysis shows that boys show better fitness test results in every age category in comparison to girls for the following tests: standing long jump, Sit-ups 30 sec., 4⇥10-m shuttle run test, Bent arm hang test and 3 minute step test (average heart rate). Furthermore, girls show better fitness test results in all age groups for the “Sit and Reach“ test. Considerable difference in the fitness test results can be seen at the age of 14, especially in those tests in which strength and endurance prevail. It is concluded that fitness capabilities, as well as their interests, should be considered in determining the differences between boys and girls.