Classification, Gender and Age Differences, and Seasonal Changes in Relation to Patterns of Distribution Curves for Physique and Motor Performance in Preschool-Aged Japanese Children

Abstract

Abstract:It is predicted that the distribution on score of children's motor performance show abnormal curve, because their physical fitness shows decline and gap between good and poor. The aim of present study is to type pattern of distribution curve on physique and motor performance (PMP) in preschoolers, and to investigate gender difference, and change in season and age on distribution of PMP. Seven hundred and seven preschoolers participate in measurement on 21 items of PMP. And mix-longitudinal data which made from 6 terms (2 seasons of spring and autumn for 3 years) is completed. The histograms of 10 sections are trained for each gender, term, and test item based on range of data including mean ± 3 standard deviation. By cluster analysis and multi-correspondence analysis, "physique & jumping" show closely normal curve, but "manipulation (MP)" is skewed to poor and "running & prompt (RP)" is skewed to good. By Hotelling's T2-test and Mahalanobis' Distance, gender difference is shown that boys' RP is skewed to good, and their "throwing" and "weight & flexibility (WF)" are skewed to poor. About season, WF is skewed to poor and RP is skewed to good, in spring. In annual change about pattern of distribution, skewing poor in MP and good in "running straight & prompt" are changed to normal curve with aging.