Jeffrey Fort

Publication Date

1965

Document Type

Dissertation/Thesis

First Advisor

Kahler, Robert||Dunn, J. Hubert

Degree Name

M.S. (Master of Science)

Legacy Department

Department of Physical Education

LCSH

Running

Abstract

Statement of the Problem: The study was conducted to determine if there is a significant relationship between running speed and any one or a combination of the following anthropometric measurements (1) weight, (2) standing height, (3) sitting height, (4) knee width, (5) lower leg length, (6) chest girth, (7) thigh girth, (8) calf girth, (9) leg length, and (10) thigh length. Purpose of the Study: The object of the study was to ascertain whether any one or a combination of the anthropometric measurements could be used as a suitable criterion for judging an individual's ability to run fast. Selection of Subjects: The forty-five subjects used in the study were randomly selected from a population of 2,800 students enrolled in required physical education classes at Northern Illinois University for the first semester of the 1964-1965 school year. Procedure: Each subject was appointed a convenient time to be measured. He was attired in shorts and tennis shoes. The ten anthropometric measurements were made In a systematic order. The following day, the subjects reported at their assigned times to be timed in the sixty-yard dash. The subjects were instructed on starting technique and starting procedure, Starting blocks were used to prevent slipping at the start, The timing device used was Dekon's Athletic Performance Analyzer, which affords a means of making complete automatic time measurements. A cord sixty yards long was attached to the Athletic Performance Analyzer and the other end was fastened to the back of the runner. When the runner reached sixty yards, the cord was pulled from the Athletic Performance Analyzer. This stopped the timing device and recorded the subject's elapsed time in running the sixty-yard dash. Findings: The following measurements were found to have a significant relationship with running speed at the 1 per cent level of confidence: (1) weight, (2) knee width, (3) chest girth, (4) thigh girth, (5) calf girth. These measurements indicated a substantial or marked relationship with the criterion. The remaining measurements were not significant and showed a negligible relationship with the criterion. The most valid battery or combination of measurements was composed of the cheat girth, thigh girth, calf girth, sitting height, and standing height measurements. The multiple R, based on the most valid battery, was .63 and was significant at the 1 per cent level of confidence. The battery of measurements accounted for 4-5 per cent of the variance of running speed. The remaining 55 per cent must be attributed to factors not measured in this study. The multiple regression equation in score form was found to have minimum predictive value. Each prediction would be 22 per cent better than a "best guess."

Comments

Includes bibliographical references.

Extent

vi, 71 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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