Meta-analytic Study of Gender Differences in Motor Performance and Their Annual Changes among Japanese Preschool-aged Children

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the gender differences in motor performance, movement patterns, movement skills, and physical fitness and their annual changes among Japanese children. To examine gender differences, a meta-analysis was conducted. A total of 1830 effect sizes were calculated using children’s motor abilities reported in 100 published articles. Based on these effect sizes, 44 test items were conducted on a yearly basis. The integrated effect sizes were also calculated for movement patterns, movement skills, and physical fitness each year. Only 22 of 44 test items showed any gender difference. Based on the annual change in gender differences for each item, the following three patterns were observed: "test items that improve with growth among male children", "test items that remain constant over time among female children" and "test items with no specific gender difference". In gender differences and their annual changes for movement patterns, movement skills, and physical fitness, it was found that male children’s manipulation, walking, and throwing exceeds those of female children; however, excel in locomotion, manipulation with a ball, muscular endurance, and balance. The items in which male children surpassed female children appeared at higher ages and increased with growth. Furthermore, items in which female children excelled emerged at lower ages and disappeared with growth. These differences are considered to be the result of the precocious development of female children in comparison with male children. However, the items in which male children surpassed female children are thought to be considerably influenced by motor experiences.