Gender-Specific Analysis of Anthropometric Measures and Motor Performance in School-Aged Children

This research investigates the relationship between anthropometric characteristics and motor performance in school-aged children, addressing a significant gap in existing literature. A sample of 250 students (130 boys and 120 girls) aged 12 to 16 years from four schools in the Dhaka Region was analyzed using stratified random sampling. Different anthropometric measures included body height, mass, BMI, and various limb dimensions, whereas motor performance was evaluated through different tests i.e. hand tapping, sit and reach, standing long jump, and agility tasks. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS V26, employing normality test, independent samples t-tests and Pearson correlation coefficients with a significance level set at p < 0.05. The results showed significant gender differences, with girls showing greater measurements in several anthropometric parameters, while boys outperformed girls in strength-based tasks like the standing long jump. Conversely, girls excelled in flexibility tests. The correlation analysis emphasised that specific anthropometric measures, such as leg and arm length, positively influenced motor performance, whereas a higher BMI negatively impacted agility and endurance. The study accentuates the importance of couture physical education programs to individual anthropometric profiles, considering gender disparities and specific physical attributes, to enhance motor performance among school-aged children. This research contributes valuable insights for the development of effective physical education strategies.