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Growth and motor performance of black and white children 6-10 years of age: A multivariate analysis
Robert M Malina1,2, Masaki Moriyama1,2
1Department of Kinesiology and Health Education, University of Texas at Austin.
Insights
This study examined how body measurements (anthropometry) relate to physical abilities in Black and White children. Results indicate sex influences performance independently of body size and composition.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric physical performance
- Anthropometry and biomechanics
- Child development and growth
Background:
- Understanding the interplay between physical characteristics and performance is crucial for child development research.
- Previous studies have explored anthropometric influences on performance, but race and sex interactions require further investigation in pediatric populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationships between anthropometric dimensions and physical performance in Black and White children aged 6-10 years.
- To determine the independent effects of sex on physical performance, controlling for anthropometric variables.
Main Methods:
- Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, skinfolds, etc.) and physical performance tests (strength, motor tasks) were collected from 439 Black and 386 White children.
- Principal Components Analysis (PCA) was employed to reduce anthropometric variables into key components.
- Path analysis was used to assess direct and indirect effects of sex on performance, mediated by anthropometric components.
Main Results:
- The first two principal components explained a significant portion (79-87%) of the anthropometric variance in both racial groups.
- Path analysis revealed that sex had a direct negative effect on performance across most strength and motor tasks, independent of anthropometric factors.
- These findings suggest a sex-specific influence on physical performance not solely explained by body size or composition.
Conclusions:
- Sex plays a significant role in physical performance among children, beyond its contribution to body composition and size.
- The independent effect of sex highlights potential biological or social factors influencing performance differences.
- Further research should explore these sex-specific pathways to better understand pediatric physical development.
Abstract:
The relationships between anthropometry and physical performance were considered in 439 Black and 386 White children, 6 through 10 years of age. Anthropometric dimensions included weight, statute, sitting height, six skeletal breadths, three limb circumferences, and three skinfolds. Performance variables included four static strength and three motor tasks. Principal components analysis was used to reduce the anthropometric dimensions to four components for each age group (sexes combined) within race. Only two components had eigenvalues greater than 1 in all age and both racial groups. The first two components accounted for 81 to 87% of the variance in anthropometry in Black children and for 79 to 85% of the variance in White children. Path coefficients from sex directly to performance and the products of path coefficients from sex to the first or second principal component to performance were computed for each strength and motor task in each age and race group. With few exceptions, path coefficients from sex directly to performance were negative and suggested an effecct of sex on performance which is independent of anthropometric characteristics.
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