Abstract:

The aim of this research is to determine the difference in motor abilities between students who were classified according to the level of physical activity in leisure time. The study included 434 boys from 5th- 8th grades of primary school. The sample included the pupils who belong to the territorial towns of Sisak and Petrinja. The study measured 15 tests of motor skills, two measures of morphological characteristics and by using the questionnaire estimated the time spent in kinesiology activities in leisure time. The results showed that pupils who are engaged in additional physical exercise in leisure time have better results in motor abilities. Discriminant analysis has shown that the significant difference between pupils of sixth, seventh and eighth grade, while among the fifth graders significant differences were not found significant differences. Also, it was found that pupils who are physically inactive during leisure time have increased body weight, and therefore more value to the body mass index (BMI). Pupils who do not spend leisure time in kinesiology activities at least 60 minutes a day, have less developed motor skills, and non-participation in physical activity contributes to higher values of body mass index (BMI) than for students who are physically active in their leisure time.

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