Abstract

A comparison of anatomical and physiological characteristics was made between three groups of preadolescent children (stage 1) aged between seven and 12 years. The three groups in the sample (n=202) which consisted of competitive age-group swimmers, competitive junior tennis players and noncompetitors were matched according to socio-economic status. Body morphology and body composition were measured together with tests of joint mobility and isometric strenght. In addition, lung function and physical exercise capacity (PWC 170) were recorded. A serjes of analyses of variance using a hierarchical approach were applied to the data, in order to compare the three groups over each age and sex classification. Competitors did not differ from non-competitors in height, body mass, body composition, somatotype or FEV 1. Similarly, no difference existed between the groups on flexibility scores. Swimmers demonstrated superior leg extension strength scores when compared to the tennis players and non-competitors, but no difference was observed between the groups for thigh flexion, arm extension and hand grip strength, nor vertical jump and leg power. The competitive swimmers were superior to the other groups on FVC and PWC 170. Verf.-Referat