Effects of physical activity on the body type, physical fitness and motor ability in elementary school students living in Aomori prefecture

Abstract

This study aimed to clarify the effects of physical activity on the body type, physical fitness and motor ability in elementary school students living in Aomori prefecture. Subjects were 448 elementary school students（226 boys, 222 girls）living in Aomori Prefecture. As morphometry, we measured height and weight, and calculated the obesity index as an indicator of body type. Physical fitness and motor ability tests were grip strength, 20 m dash, side steps, standing long jump and the speed of the tennis ball throw. Physical activity was evaluated by pedometer, worn around the waist for 7 days. We examined the relationship between physical activity and body type. As a result, there was no significant correlation between physical activity and obesity index. In order to remove the influence of development of physical fitness and motor ability, T score of physical fitness and motor ability were calculated based on the age at the time of measurement by polynomial. Correlation analysis between physical activity and T score of physical fitness and motor ability showed a positive correlation between physical activity on weekdays and standing long jump in boys. A positive correlation was shown for the relationship between physical activity in weekdays and side steps and tennis ball-throwing velocity, physical activity in weekends and 20 m dash, side steps and tennis ball-throwing velocity, respectively, in girls. These results suggest that physical activity does not influence on body type in elementary school students who live in cold district. In addition, it is shown a weak correlation between physical activity and physical fitness and motor ability.