Relationship between sport participation and the physical, motor performance and anthropometric components of a selected group of grade 10 adolescents

Sport participation is positively associated with an increase in various physical, motor performance and anthropometric components, however, these benefits are influenced by the gender, race and the type of sport children participate in. Despite this, no researchers have investigated this association and the possible role of gender, race and the nature of sport participation on the possible benefits that can be derived among South African adolescents. It is against this background that the objectives of the study were firstly, to determine the relationship between sport participation and the physical, motor performance and anthropometric components, of a group of grade 10 adolescent learners in the Tlokwe District, North West Province, South Africa. Secondly, it was to determine the significant differences in the physical, motor performance and anthropometric components between a group of grade 10 learners of different genders and races who participated in different types of sport in the Tlokwe District, North West Province, South Africa. Two hundred and one (156 sport participants and 48 non-sport participants) were purposefully selected to complete a questionnaire among other things to obtain their sport and training habits as well as their maturity status. Futhermore, a total of 28 direct anthropometric measurements were taken as well as tests executed for the determination of flexibility, explosive leg and upper body power, strength, speed and acceleration, agility and the cardiovascular endurance. Of the 156 sport participants, 146 learners’ data were separately analysed to investigate the significant differences with regard to the measured variables in boys (n = 72) and girls (n = 71), black (n = 105) and white children (n = 41) as well in children who only participated in individual (n = 17), team (n = 82) or both types of sport (n = 47). The independent t-test results revealed that the sport participants obtained lower values for most of the absolute body and relative body size as well as body composition measurements that showed significant results. Furthermore, the non-sport participants did not perform better in any of the physical and motor performance tests than the sport participants when the significant results were analysed. Lastly, the forward stepwise logistic regression analysis results indicated that body mass, stature, sitting height, sum of six skinfolds, fat percentage, hip circumference, muscle mass and percentage, Vertical Jump Test (VJT) height, VJT Tendo peak power, Horizontal Jump Test distance, 40m speed; right passive shoulder external and internal rotation as well as passive and active straight-leg-raise and the modified Thomas quadriceps (MTQT) flexibility were identified as adequate and accurate predictors to classify the adolescent learners in sport participant and non-sport participant groups. However, only body mass, sitting height, muscle percentage and muscle mass and the right MTQT flexibility were identified as significant predictors between the two groups of children. Furthermore, the forward stepwise logistic regression analysis revealed that the logistic model of identified physical, motor performance and anthropometric variables was not useful in predicting the different groups. With regard to the significant results, the study revealed that the boys obtained higher values for most of the absolute and relative body size, body composition and somatotype related variables as well as for all of the tests that were related to lower body explosive power, muscle strength, speed, agility and cardiovascular endurance related variables compared to the girls. The differences with regard to the racial groups showed that black children displayed significantly lower values for most of the absolute and relative body size, body composition as somatotype measurements as well as for all of the upper and lower body explosive power, muscle strength, speed, agility and the cardiovascular endurance related variables which obtained significant differences when compared to the values of white children. Only the flexibility related tests obtained significant differences with regard to the children who participated in different types of sports. Therefore, although a relationship exists between sport participation and the physical, motor performance and anthropometric benefits that can be derived, factors such as race and gender have a direct influence on this relationship and need to be considered when this population of children is investigated.

Publisher: University of the North West
Year of Publication: 2012