Growth, maturity status, motor proficiency and fitness of participants and non-participants in organised sports 7-10 years.

Abstract

Background: Lifestyles of contemporary children are largely organised with relatively little time for free play.

Aim: To compare the growth, maturity status, motor proficiency and physical fitness of non-participants and participants in organised sports 7-10 years.

Subjects and methods: Height, weight, skeletal age (SA), physical activity, fundamental motor skills, motor coordination and fitness were assessed in 234 boys and 235 girls. Sex-specific comparisons of the characteristics of sport participants and non-participants 7-8 and 9-10 years were evaluated with Student's t and Mann-Whitney U tests.

Results: Boys and girls in each age group active in sport had significantly higher levels of sport-related physical activity. At 7-8 years, boys active in sport were significantly taller and heavier than peers not active in sport, while girls not active in sport performed significantly better in ball rolling and balance. At 9-10 years, boys active in sport were more proficient in catching, while girls active in sport were more proficient in hopping and side-to-side jumping.

Conclusion: SA and performances among children 7-10 years active and not active in sport were largely non-significant statistically, while those active in sport were physically more active.