Physical fitness and Embedded Figures Test performance of elementary school children

The relationship between physical fitness and field independence was assessed by measuring embedded-figures test performance in the following four groups of children in Grades 4 through 6: (1) 93 boys high in physical fitness, (2) 92 girls high in physical fitness, (3) 67 boys low in physical fitness, and (4) 77 girls low in physical fitness. The group of girls low in physical fitness was significantly more field dependent than the other three groups. No significant differences were found among the other three groups. It appears that skill in physical activities may be related to the embedded-figures test performance of girls, but not boys. In fact, girls skilled in physical activities may be as field independent as boys.