SOMATOTYPE AND PHYSICAL-FITNESS OF PREPUBERTAL CHILDREN

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between so matotype and physical fitness in prepubertal children. Sex differences in somatotype and physical fitness were also examined. Seventy-six 9- 11 year old children were divided into two groups: 35 boys (mean age 1 0.2 +/- 1.3 yrs) and 41 girls (mean age 10.1 +/- 1.2 yrs). Somatotype was estimated by the Heath-Carter anthropometric method. EUROFIT test battery was used to evaluate physical fitness. Relationships between s omatotype and physical fitness were not significant. In general, endom orphy had low negative and mesomorphy had low positive associations wi th fitness items, while ectomorphy was variably related with fitness t ests. All three somatotype components accounted for 10-20% variance in fitness in both sexes. Sex differences in somatotype were significant (p < 0.05) only in endomorphy; girls were more endomorphic than boys. In physical fitness tests requiring explosive and functional strength and endurance, boys performed significantly higher (p < 0.05) than gi rls. In tasks requiring balance, speed of limb movement, flexibility a nd agility sex differences were not significant.