Gender Differences in the Monthly Variation in Throwing Distances among Children Using Different Balls

Hiroshi Yamanaka,Shobu Sato,Hiroe Sugimoto,Hiroki Aoki

doi:10.4236/ape.2018.81014

Abstract

The objective of this study was to consider the gender differences in the monthly variation in throwing distances among kindergarten children using different balls. The subjects of this study were 111 healthy males and 109 healthy females. The subjects’ throwing distances of softballs and tennis balls were measured in June and November. By a gender-based two-way analysis of variance (difference by ball type × difference by month), we observed that the throwing distance of softballs was less than that of tennis balls for both males and females. Moreover, we note that the throwing distance of both ball types was shorter in June than in November. A second two-way analysis of variance (difference by gender × difference by ball type) determined that the throwing distance variation ratio ((November/June) × 100) was greater for softballs than for tennis balls among females only; however, this difference was not significant. The above results show that the throwing distance of softballs is less than that of tennis balls. However, we observe that the selection of ball type has no major effect on the monthly variation in throwing distances among children and that the trend does not vary greatly between males and females.

Highlights

The throwing distances of balls and flying discs are often measured to evaluate children’s throwing abilities (Murase et al, 2002; Sugihara et al, 2006; Zhou et al, 2014; Sedlak et al, 2015)
By a gender-based two-way analysis of variance, we observed that the throwing distance of softballs was less than that of tennis balls for both males and females
As tennis balls weigh approximately 50 g and softballs weigh approximately 150 g, it is expected that children who are immature in terms of strength development and throwing actions will have difficulty when throwing a softball as compared to when throwing a tennis ball

Summary

Introduction

The throwing distances of balls and flying discs are often measured to evaluate children’s throwing abilities (Murase et al, 2002; Sugihara et al, 2006; Zhou et al, 2014; Sedlak et al, 2015). In Japan, softballs (size 1) or tennis balls are normally. Softballs, which have a diameter of approximately 9 cm, are more difficult for children with small fingers to grasp. Demura (1993) measured throwing distances among children and found that the throwing distance when using softballs was less than that with tennis balls, golf balls, etc As tennis balls weigh approximately 50 g and softballs weigh approximately 150 g, it is expected that children who are immature in terms of strength development and throwing actions will have difficulty when throwing a softball as compared to when throwing a tennis ball. Demura (1993) measured throwing distances among children and found that the throwing distance when using softballs was less than that with tennis balls, golf balls, etc

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