NORMATIVE VALUES FOR PHYSICAL AND PSYCHOMOTOR CHARACTERISTICS IN CHILDREN AGED 4–7 IN TURKEY (SAKARYA)

Abstract

Aim. The study aims to determine the normative values of the physical and motor skills in children aged 4–7 living in Turkey (Sakarya) based on age and gender, and to compare these data with the WHO data and with the literature of selected other countries. Materials and methods. The sample consisted of 777 primary schoolchildren (383 girls and 394 boys) aged 4–7 years. They were students at the “Private Şahin Schools” in the Sakarya province of Turkey. The height, weight, Body Mass Index, Body Fat Percentage, Standing Broad Jump, Straight Arm Hang, Agility Shuttle Run 10×5 meters, Sit and Reach, Plate Tapping, Flamingo Balance Floor Test, Flamingo Balance, Coordination Test, Sit Up, 20 Meters Shuttle Run, and Maximum Oxygen Intake VO2max tests were included in this study. In computing the average, standard deviation, and percentile values of the physical and motor values of the study group, the SPSS 22 Program was employed (frequencies and percentiles). Results. The results of each test determined the averages and normative values according to age and gender, together with 20 % groups for the anthropometric and psychomotor parameters of 4–7-year-old girls and boys. Also, a com­parison was made with WHO data and the literature data of other countries. Conclusion. The current research determined the norms in the main motor and anthropometric skills for ages 4 to 7 based on age and gender in children living in Turkey (Sakarya province). The main motor and anthropometric skills play an important and necessary role in the proper and comprehensive development of a child. In this study, it was observed that there was no significant difference between the genders in anthropometric, psychomotor and functional characteristics in children aged 4–7 years.