Age and Gender Differences in Adolescent and Adult Overarm Throwing

作者:Lorson Kevin M*; Stodden David F; Langendorfer Stephen J; Goodway Jacqueline D
来源:Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 2013, 84(2): 239-244.
DOI:10.1080/02701367.2013.784841

摘要

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to examine age and gender differences in throwing performance across an underexplored portion of the lifespan: middle adolescents (14-17 years old), young adults (18-25 years old), and adults (35-55 years old). Method: Throwing performance was assessed using the body component levels from Roberton%26apos;s developmental sequences for force and ball velocity that were recorded by a radar gun. Participants in each age group performed between 5 to 10 forceful overhand throws toward a target approximately 15m to 20m from the thrower. A Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney Test was used to determine gender differences and a Wilcoxon-Signed Ranks Test was used to determine age-group differences for each component. Gender and age-group differences in ball speed were determined by a 3 (age group) x 2 (gender) factorial analysis of variance with follow-up posthoc tests. Results: Young-adult men had higher body component levels and ball speed compared with the adolescent boys and adult men. Female age-group differences existed only for humerus action between young-adult and adult groups and for ball speed between young-adult and adolescent groups. Gender differences (p %26lt; .01) existed in component levels for the adolescent and young-adult groups, but not the adult groups. Gender differences in ball speed (p %26lt; .001) existed within each age group. Conclusion: Although these data were cross-sectional, the regressive developmental changes observed and the narrowing gender gap may eventually provide insight related to the relationships among motor skill competence, physical fitness, and physical activity across the lifespan.

  • 出版日期2013