THE LEVEL OF JUMPING PERFORMANCE BY GENDER AMONG PRIMARY-AGE CHILDREN IN TIRANA THROUGH THE KTK TEST

Marina MARTINI, Enkeleida LLESHI, Juel JARANI

Abstract

The aim of this study where to compare the level of jumping performance by gender among primary-age children in Tirana through the KTK test. In total participated 510 elementary school children (253 boys and 257 girls). While divided by grade (boys- first =70, second= 66, third=51, fourth= 37 and fifth= 29, girls- first =58, second= 71, third=66, fourth= 33 and fifth= 29). Hopping Height (HH) from Körperkoordinations Test für Kinder (KTK) was used to assess jumping performance: jumping from one leg (right/ left) over an increasing pile of pillows (40 cm x 20 cm x 5 cm each) after a short run-up. Every trial was evaluated and the subject had three trials on every height. Three, two or one point(s) were/was awarded for successful performance on the first, second or third trials, respectively. Results from this study show that boys in elementary school has the score 6.67 of jumping performance (total= right+ left performance) while girls has the score 6.33. Independent sample test by gender for each grade show no statistical significance in every grade except grade 2 (F=5.99, Sig= 0.016) for hopping height in right foot and for hopping height in total (F=5.058, Sig= 0.026) where boys have better performance compare to girls. Also data show statistical significances in favor of boys for jumping performance in fifth grade.

Pages: 138 - 148