Date of Award

2015

Degree Type

Thesis

Department

Education and Human Services

First Advisor

Sparks, Kenneth

Subject Headings

Physical Education, Flexibility, Balance, 10-14 years of age

Abstract

To determine the effects of age on flexibility and balance in children ages 10-14. This study also determined the validity of the Y-balance test by comparing it to the standard back-saver sit and reach (BSSR) and the balance error scoring system test (BESS). Methods: 84 participants males (n=41) and females (n=43) ages 10-14 years old from a school in Chardon, Ohio, volunteered through a convenience sample to complete the study. Each subject had to complete three different tests in a randomized order during their regular physical education class. To compare the results of the three tests, gender and the age groups, a two-way anova, and a Pearson correlation were used. Results: The males scored significantly higher (p=0.037) than the females on the Y-balance test, while the females scored significantly higher (p=0.000) than the males on the BSSR and the BESS. There was no correlation between the Y-balance and either the BSSR or the BESS, r values less than 0.1. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the females scored significantly higher on the BSSR and the BESS, but the males scored significantly higher on the Y-balance. When comparing age groups, the Y-balance score significantly increased with age with the exception of the 13 year olds. For the BSSR and BESS, scores decreased in the categories of flexibility and balance in the older age groups. The validity of the Y-balance test as an accurate measure of flexibility and balance, compared to the BSSR and BESS respectively, was not demonstrated in this study

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