Die motoriese bekwaamheid van Blanke, Kleurling– en Indiërskoolseuns van 12 en 13 jaar

Abstract

In the past various studies were undertaken to establish the fact that there are physical differences between the various races. As there is not much known about the motor ability of especially the Coloured and Indian schoolboys, this study was undertaken to ascertain whether there is any difference in motor ability between the White, Coloured and Indian boys in this age group. After a careful study of the known facts and the various test batteries for the measurement of motor ability, a test battery, consisting of six items was selected. The six items were the 75 yard dash, 220 yards, pull ups on the horizontal bar, shot put, standing long jump and cricket ball throw for distance. The length and weight of the body were also taken. This test battery includes all the components of motor ability and meets the requirements of a good test. The six item test battery was administered to 120 Indian, 140 Coloured and 90 White schoolboys. The selected data was statistically compiled and the achievement of 12 and 13 year old Whites, 12 and 13 year old Indians and 12 and 13 year old Coloureds were compared. Thereafter the results of the 12 and 13 year old Whites were compared with that of the Indian and Coloured boys and the achievement of the Indian boys was compared with that of the Coloured boys. The following results were established: 1. No significant differences were found between the 12 and 13 year old Whites except in the shot put where there was a highly significant difference and a significant difference in the 75 yard dash and pull ups in favour of the 13 year olds. The other two races showed highly significant differences in favour of the 13 year olds in all the test items. 2. The Whites surpassed the other two races highly significantly in all the test items. The Coloureds, although highly significantly shorter and significantly lighter than the Indian boys, surpassed the latter highly significantly in the cricket ball throw for distance, the standing long jump; significantly in the 220 yards and insignificantly in the shot put, 75 yard dash and pull ups, compiled according to McCloy's formulae. 3. A comparison between the Indian Moslem and Hindu boys showed that the Moslem boys surpassed the Hindus highly significantly in all the items except in the shotput. There is no significant difference between the 12 and 13 year old Hindu boys. 4. The physical differences between the three racial groups are inherited and cannot be attributed to environmental factors only.