Publication Date

1973

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Wells, Harold P., -1996

Degree Name

M.S. Ed. (Master of Education)

Legacy Department

Department of Physical Education for Men

LCSH

Motor ability

Abstract

This research study was conducted to determine whether or not chronological age of a student, in relation to his class, has any effect on motor performance. The subjects who participated in this study were seventh and eighth grade boys, tested during their physical education classes, at Sycamore Junior High School during the 1972-1973 school year. From related readings, it was found that there exists an inconclusiveness in regard to the effects of chronological age on physical performance. Certain studies show a correlation between chronological age and physical ability. Other studies conclude that at each successive grade level a student advances, he also increases in physical ability and fitness level. There are studies also, where the research disputes the previously mentioned outcome and shows either no correlation or negative effects with each advancing age level. It is important to clarify that these tests were not all using the same criterion to establish physical ability and fitness. To determine if a significant difference in motor performance occurs at this age level, the students, who were divided into seventh or eighth grade, were compared by the results on the AAHPER fitness tests. The results of this research indicated that there is an inconsistent increase in ability by monthly age intervals. There is a general trend of increase in ability at the seventh grade level, a leveling off period or decline around the end of the seventh and beginning of the eighth grade, which reverts back to a trend of monthly increase of ability, at the end of the eighth grade. The younger students at the seventh grade level also had the lowest motor performance scores. Data was collected to determine the difference of individual test items, seventh to eighth grades. The only two tests that showed significance were the sit-ups and the shuttle run. Students at each grade level were also compared within their own group. This revealed that at the seventh grade level there is a significant difference for the older students in motor performance, but at the eighth grade level this trend did not remain constant. The final comparison was between seventh and eighth grade students, using the entire test battery. The results indicated a significant increase in ability at the eighth grade level compared to the seventh. Upon analyzation of the data, the conclusion was that chronological age does seem to contribute to motor performance, but this effect varies with the skills involved, and that this effect of improved ability is inconsistent with each advancing age increase.

Comments

Includes bibliographical references (pages [42-43])

Extent

56 pages

Language

eng

Publisher

Northern Illinois University

Rights Statement

In Copyright

Rights Statement 2

NIU theses are protected by copyright. They may be viewed from Huskie Commons for any purpose, but reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without the written permission of the authors.

Media Type

Text

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