Changes over the Years in Physical and Motor Ability in Japanese Youth in 1964-97

抄録

The purpose of this study was to statistically analyze the changes over the years in the physical and motor ability in Japanese youth. The sample size was 12,832 boys and girls age 12 to 17 in the National Statistical Survey on Physical Fitness and Motor Ability using the Sports-test implemented for 34 years during 1964-1997. The transition trend over the years of the average by gender regarding the total scores of both of the physical fitness and motor ability tests was statistically confirmed. The first principal component score was used as the overall score in 12- to 17-year old boys and girls. The integration of 12 to 17 years old showed a significant increase for 11 years from 1964 to 1974 and a significant decrease for the following 12 years from 1986 to 1997. The both of total physical fitness and motor ability test scores of both boys and girls at the age of 17 indicated the tendency of a continuous decrease since 1985. It was concluded that physical and motor ability of Japanese youth age 12 to 17 increased until 1980 and that it tended to decrease continuously since 1985.