STUDY OF PHYSICAL FITNESS IN RURAL CHILDREN IN GIFU PREFECTURE / 体力科学

ABSTRACT

In order to observe the development of physical fitness of rural boys and girls, a series of examinations with respect to physique, various physical-strength-tests, maximum O<SUB>2</SUB> intake and vital capacity were investigated with 541 boys and 436 girls in middle-and high-school in Nakatsugawa district in Gifu prefecture in autumn, 1966. And their result was compared with the value of average Japaness children of the same age. The result obtained was summarized as follows<BR>1) The development of physique, such as body height, body weight, girth of chest and sitting height, did not differ from the average Japanese level.<BR>2) The running ability of rural children was slightly inferior to that of the average Japanese children for the short-distance-running (50m), in which one must give the maximum power within short period of time. On the other hand, it was rather superior to the average Japanese children for the long-distance-running (1500m for boys and 1000 m for girls), in which one must display a full effort for the endurance work for relatively long period of time.<BR>3) The result of neuromuscular test, which was revealed by broad jumping, side step and back strength, indicated that the value of rural girls was lower than the average Japanese, whereas that of rural boys did not show such a difference. An index of respiratory and circulatory system as in the step-test for girls was slightly lower than the average Japanese girls, but no difference was obtained in rural boys.<BR>4) The vital capacity and maximum O<SUB>2</SUB> intake of rural children were, in general, nearly the same as the average Japanese value. However, among children of middle school who were not able to go on to high school on account of poverty, there were several boys and girls having a lesser pulmonary function.<BR>5) The comparison of these items with those of foreign children indicated that no difference was recognized among them, for example, the indication of physical capacity for long endurance work, the maximum O<SUB>2</SUB> intake of rural Japanese children was not different from that of the Swedish children reported by P.O. Åstrand,