Abstract

To help resolve the question of whether 12-year-old boys and girls can co-compete on equal terms, information is presented from a cross-sectional sample of 313, 12-year-old boys and girls from Melbourne, Australia. This number included 85 boys and 85 girls (well-trained in track and field) and 76 boys and 67 girls (untrained). Using analysis of variance and covariance the following statistically significant differences (P<.05) were found to occur between boys and girls in both the trained and untrained groups at equivalent chronological as well as skeletal age (unless indicated otherwise). The superior group is indicated in the brackets: 12-min, run (boys), PWC170 (boys), flexed arm hang (boys), shuttle run (boys), body fat (boys leaner), sit and reach (girls). Differences occurring only between the trained boys and girls were in shoulder torque (boys, at the same chronological age only) and height (girls taller). Differences occurring only between the untrained boys and girls were in skeletal age (girls 6 months advanced), biiliocristal with (girls wider), vital capacity (boys, at equivalent skeletal age only), standing long jump (boys). As many sports played by these children are highly dependent on endurance and/or agility, the boys clear superiority in these characteristics is likely to furnish them with an advantage in such sporting competition with their female counterparts. Verf.-Referat