Age, Sex, and Body Mass Index in Performance of Selected Locomotor and Fitness Tasks by Children in Grades K-2

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the contributions of 3 predictor variables (age, sex, and body mass index) to performance of 7 fundamental movement skills (locomotor; run, gallop, hop, leap, jump, skip, and slide) and 4 fitness tasks (grip strength, step test, sit and reach, and timed sit-ups) by 65 children in Grades K-2 ( M =6 yr.). A multiple regression analysis indicated that running, leaping, and skipping improved with age. No sex differences were observed on any of the seven skills. In terms of the four fitness tasks, age was positively associated with timed sit-ups and grip strength and inversely associated with step-test performance. Sex was associated with step-test and sit and reach performance (girls performed better on both). Finally, body mass index was related to increased grip strength and fewer timed sit-ups.