Volume : 2, Issue : 5, May - 2013

Comparative Analysis of Coordinative and Balancing Abilities Among 10–15 Years of Rural and Urban School Boys

Raghupathi K, Dr. P. C. Krishnaswamy

Abstract :

Coordination is about controlling all of body parts while doing different activities of children. It is about making and maintaining connections between the ain and the muscles that control movement of the children. Balance is a complex process involving the coordinated activities of multiple sensory, motor, and biomechanical components. Correct postural balance is basic to wellbeing. Its effects will be felt in every movement in every activity. The development of postural stability in children is critical for being able to engage and explore their surrounding environment. The purpose of the study was to compare the coordinative and balancing abilities between urban and rural school going boys. For this purpose One hundred eighty boys age ranging from 10 to 15 years were selected as subjects for the study of which ninety were urban and the remaining ninety students were rural school going from different schools of Bangalore District, Karnataka. The subjects were tested their respective school ground for a week. The criterion measures included are differentiation ability was used measured by backward medicine ball throw test; hand–eye coordination was used measured by alternate hand wall toss test; static balance was used measured by stork balance stand test and dynamic balance was used measured by modified bass test. For the purpose of comparison of above criterion variables between rural and urban school going children, ‘t’ ratio and One–way ANOVA statistical technique was used to analyze the data through SPSS package. The level of significance was set at p<0.05 level. The results showed significant differences between rural and urban school boys’ coordinative and balancing abilities. Analysis of variance was found significant in relation to orientation ability, static and dynamic balance abilities of school boys among different age categories. Long–term studies are needed to be done to determine the long–term effect of this childhood load bearing effect and by this way, it would be easier to establish the needed guidelines to protect children from injuries and tainted posture.