Abstract

Measures of physique and physical performance were made on 31 students beginning a specialist course of physical education. The subjects are compared witha reference group of final year school boys of the same age. Hand grip and back strengths were measured and the following tests were administered: standing long jump, agility run, sitting basketball throw, alternate hand walltoss. The physical working capacity at a heart rate of 170 beats per minute (PWC 170) was determined from the steady state heart rate at three submaximal work loads on a bicycle ergometer. Height and weight were measured and somatotype determined photoscopically. The students scored more highly on all tests with the single exception of hand grip strength. There was no difference in height but the students were heavier and had higher ratings for mesomorphy andlower ratings for ectomorphy. The differences in strength and PWC 170 remainedafter allowance for the difference in body weight, but the differences in strength can be accounted for in terms of differences in body size and shape. Physique appears to influence performance in 5 out of 7 tests conducted. Verf.-Referat