The effect of practice on performance of overarm throw among the first grade and the fourth grade children

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate what differences exist in the effect of practice of overarm throw between the 1st grade and the 4th grade elementary school children. Thirteen boys and 18 girls in the 1st grade and 20 boys and 16 girls in the 4th grade underwent a practice of overarm throw (tennis ball) for 15 minutes, 3 times a week for 8 weeks according to the predetermined instruction. Throwing distance was measured before and after the practice. The mean throwing distance for the 1st grade boys and girls increased 17.0 (±20.2)% and 30.9 (±32.2)% of the initial record, respectively; and those of the 4th grade boys and girls were 20.3 (±22.4)% and 48.7 (±43.2)%, respectively. There was no significant difference in the rate of increase between the 1st and 4th grades, in both sexes. However, significant negative correlation was observed between the rate of increase and the initial record in the 4th grade, while this was not the case in the 1st grade.