Gender Differences in Body Component Levels and Ball Velocity in First- and Second- Grade Children

Throwing has the largest gender difference in performance of any fundamental motor skill, with the differences occurring earlier in development than any other fundamental motor skill (Nelson, Thomas, & Nelson, 1991; Thomas & French, 1985; Williams, 1996). Large gender differences are present in both body components (throwing form), and performance measures such as speed, distance, and accuracy (Butterfield & Loovis, 1993; Garcia & Garcia, 2002; Halverson & Roberton, 1979; Halverson, Roberton, & Langendorfer, 1982; Langendorfer & Roberton, 2002; Roberton, Halverson, Langendorfer, & Williams, 1979; Sakurai & Miyashita, 1983; Thomas & French, 1985; Thomas & Marzke, 1992; Thomas, Michael, & Gallagher, 1994). The purpose of this study was to examine whether gender differences were present in first and second graders in the overarm throw for body components and ball velocity. Participants (n=124) were selected from six, intact physical education classes from two urban, Midwestern elementary schools. Participants included a total of 69 males, and 55 females. Each participant completed 10 throwing trials where they were told to throw hard and fast. The trials were videotaped for analysis using the component approach (Roberton & Halverson, 1984). Ball velocity was recorded simultaneously using a JUGS radar gun. A MANOVA using the mean step, trunk, humerus, and forearm body component scores was conducted to compare male and female throwing performance. A significant multivariate Gender effect ( F[5, 109]=17.92, p=.000, ョ²=.45) with significant univariate Gender effects for the step (F[1, 116]=60.03, p=.000, ョ²=.35), trunk (F [1, 116]=59.10, p=.000, ョ²=.34), humerus (F[1, 116]=15.23, p=.000, ョ ²=.12), and forearm (F [1, 116]=14.40, p=.000, ョ²=.11) components were revealed showing males outperformed females for each of these body components. An ANOVA was conducted to compare males and females on mean recorded ball velocity. A significant Gender effect for ball velocity (F[1,116]=57.63, p=.000, ョ²=.34) was found with males throwing faster than females. These findings are similar to previous research that found gender differences for the overarm throw with boys outperforming girls. Future research should continue to examine gender differences and the types of instruction that might help females catch up to their male counterparts.
Keyword(s): early childhood, gender issues