In recent years, fitness level of Japanese children are said to have decreased. Whilst children are physically getting bigger, some data indicates that their fitness levels are getting lower every year.
For our analysis, one-hundred and seventy-six children running, aged from five to fifteen years were video-taped running on a ground. They were also tested on five set foot movements. A questionnaire was then conducted, asking the parents about the children's physical, emotional and intellectual development, and their environmental history.
Of the children tested, 44% showed some degree of uncoordination in their running form. Ten of the forty five and six years olds kicked their legs out in circular motions as they ran. Some kinder-garden children could not kick backward strongly. Some of the junior-high school students ran as awkwardly as some of the elementally school children.
Unfortunately, a connection between the uncoordinated running forms and an inability with the foot movements could not be observed. Neither was anything remarkable found about the uncoordinated children's home environment, or the size of their school grounds. It appears that the uncoordinated running forms are coming from not one source, but a number of complex elements in the children's development. In conclusion, it is advisable that children take part in many kinds of outdoor play and physical activities with their parents and siblings to better develop their motor skills.
