THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN BOYS AND GIRLS, INVOLVEMENT IN PHYSICAL EXERCISE AND MOTOR ABILITIES IN 6-YEAR OLD CHILDREN

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the relationship between boys and girls, and involvement in physical exercise regard to the development of motor abilities in preschool children. The sample was made of 64 six year old preschool children, precisely 36 boys and 28 girls. The sample was randomly selected from three kindergartens in Zagreb. There were 40 respondents who are, at the tame of measurement, involved in an physical exercise program for 1 year and 24 participants who are involved in physical exercise in kindergarten for 2 years. For establishing the motor efficiency, a set of six motor tests was used. In accordance with the aim of this research the regression analyses was conducted. From the result of this study it can be noted that there is statistically significant relations between boys and explosive strength as well as between girls and balance. Regarding to motor efficiency and amount of physical exercise the statistically significant relations were found in coordination. It can be concluded that from early childhood, there is a different level of development of certain motor abilities in boys as in girls. Also, the children who participate longer in physical exercise have better results in the test polygon backwards.