幼児期における体力差の縦断的推移：3 年間の追跡データに基づいて

抄録

The purpose of this study to examine the difference in physical fitness levels among young children from the age of three until the age of five. The study analyzed data obtained through a pursuit measurement of the same subjects conducted for a period of three years. The subjects were 206 young children(104 boys and 102 girls)with standard physiques. We administered physical tests comprising seven types of exercises to understand their physical fitness characteristics;the tests were conducted every year in November for three years. Finally, the subjects were divided into the upper-ranking group(20%)and the lower-ranking group(20%)on the basis of the results of the physical tests at three-years old that corrected the age;further, the extent to which the difference between the two groups changed after two years was examined for each type of exercise. To conduct a statistical analysis of the data, a two-way ANOVA and the multiple comparisons(Tukey's HSD test)were employed. The analysis revealed a significant difference between the two groups for all types of exercises(in the case of both boys and girls). The gap reduced with each passing year for the side-step, 25-m run, and sitting trunk flexion. The exercise types for which the gap reduced until the age of four were grip strength and standing long jump. In the case of softball throw and upright hand standing time, the gap reduced until the age of four and then increased at the age of five. However, the gap did not reverse at the age of five for any exercise type. The level of physical fitness at the age of five remains strongly influenced by that at the age of three. The results suggested that the gap in the physical fitness among Japanese pupils has already begun to be observed in young children.