DIFFERENCE IN BALANCE AND SUCCESS IN PERFORMING BASIC GYMNASTICS ELEMENTS BETWEEN 7-8 YEARS OLD BOYS AND GIRLS

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the status of motor skill of balance and possible differences between girls and boys, of younger school age, in predicting the performance of selected gymnastic elements on the floor (shoulder stand, headstand, handstand). Eighty-four young participants were divided into two groups participating in the study (Group Males: n=42; Group Females: n=42). The participants had to perform four tests to evaluate motor ability of balance that have the necessary metric characteristics: standing on one leg with eyes open transversely on a balance bench - MBAP, standing on two legs longitudinally on a balance bench with eyes closed - MBAU2Z, standing on two legs longitudinally on balance benches with eyes open - MBAU2O and Flamingo test - FLAM. The success of the execution of the selected gymnastics elements was evaluated by the commission, which consisted of five licensed judges of the Gymnastics Federation of the Republic of Srpska, with marks from 0 to 10. Minor differences were found in the motor ability of balance and the results of predictable values for these gymnastic elements (p=0.05). Girls had lower results in the motor tests but beter scores in the performance of the gymnastic elements, but it is no significant differences. The average results of all respondents in this research are lower than in previous research. The relatively low scores of the motor ability test results indicate the need to introduce additional pre-exercises to improve results in performing essential gymnastic elements.