Abstract des Autors

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships between somatic growth, fatness and physical activity on one hand, and fitness and fundamental motor skills in prepubertal boys on the other. A total of 203 boys, 7 to 10 years old, divided into four age groups were studied. Fifteen anthropometric measurements were recorded, body fat content was estimated from 5 skinfolds. Parental seven-day physical activity recall was employed and physical fitness was assessed by EUROFIT test battery. The development of motor skills was based on quantitative and qualitative assessment of overhand throwing. Total body method was used to evaluate throwing performance. Body fatness was significantly, negatively correlated only with aerobic fitness and motor- or performance-related fitness tests (r=-0.51 to .0.20) but not with other components of fitness (balance, flexibility, strength, speed of limb movement). Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity was significantly correlated with motor fitness and with 20 m-endurance run. Throwing results, but not the developmental age, were associated with skeletal width and with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Subcutaneous fat accounted for 2-14% of the total variance of individual fitness variables at constant age and physical activity. It was concluded that motor development of prepubertal boys was associated with somatic variables and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity. Verf.-Referat