This research study determined the relative importance of various basic motor ability traits possessed by the learner in the process of acquiring neuromuscular skills. Fifty-two university students practiced two novel skills (ball toss and fli-back paddle ball) 5 days per week for 2 weeks. Prior to beginning practice, each subject was measured on…

Critical factors in the selection of calipers for skinfold measurements to assess body fat percentage in children and considerations for the training of testers in their proper use are highlighted. (JMF)

This report, the first of three on the effects of teaching kindergarten children the overhand throw, compares the children's final ball velocities to those of two control groups. Later reports will discuss the effect of instruction on the children's movement processes and the relationship between velocity and movement process. Forty-five children…

This study investigated the relationship between physical performance tests and body fatness in young children, and the extent to which differences in performance between the sexes could be explained by differences in body fatness. Measurements of age, height, weight, skinfold thicknesses, and performance scores on the vertical jump, standing…

This study focuses on the body composition and anthropometric measurements of 65 college football players. Body composition was determined by underwater weighing with an accurate assessment of residual volume. The anthropometric measurements included height, weight, seven skinfolds, waist circumference, and wrist diameter. A step-wise multiple…

This article reports the level of androgynous development found in university students attracted to the sport experience. The Bem's Sex Role Inventory (BSRI) was administered to 45 female physical education majors 20 female varsity athletes, 35 male physical education majors and 45 male varsity athletes at the University of Pittsburgh. Percentages…

A significant relationship exists between a person's body concept and his general self-concept. Physical educators need to be more concerned with the development of the body concept in children. Understanding how the growth process affects performance ability can help the teacher plan activities based on individual readiness factors. (JN)

Childhood obesity starts at a very early age, and preventive measures taken early enough may retard the development of fat cells. It appears that physical activity plays an important role in reducing obesity. The activity program must start early, in preschool days. It is felt that screening children for obesity when they first enter school and…

This annotated bibliography on women's athletics was compiled from the ERIC data base for documents and journal articles. It cites document accession number, pagination, availability in microfiche and/or hard cover, availability source and address. The bibliography presents material on women's athletics and (1) general sex discrimination (14…

This document is an English-language abstract (approximately 1,500 words) of a report on an investigation started in 1957 by Martti Takala and Penti Pitkanen at the University of Jyvaskyla, Finland, to examine the connections between physical fitness and other measures of individual difference. The report deals with the structure and development…

The effects of exercise in children can be assessed by physiological measures of the respiratory and cardiovascular body functions and by anthropometric measures of body composition and maturation. Several methods and techniques in these areas are available to the researcher and practitioner for attempting to assess the physiological aspect of…

The sport of artistic gymnastics is viewed from a multidisciplinary point of view. The training, performance, and judgment of the sport undergo specialized study of interest to sport scientists, teachers, coaches, and athletes. Organized into five major sections, the book presents such themes as the psychological, physiological, biomechanical,…

An abundance of research relative to physical fitness and, more generally, physical education of school children, has surfaced during the past few years. Negative aspects of health and physical fitness are increasing year by year, and further evidence suggests that academic performance is negatively affected by low levels of fitness. A survey was…

The physical fitness and lifestyle of Canadian school children has been deteriorating in recent years. The main objectives of physical education are directed toward the development of physical fitness and a positive lifestyle. This manual provides an opportunity for measuring the components of physical fitness. Physical fitness testing involves…