Desempenho motor em uma amostra de escolares brasileiros

this study analyzed the analyzed the relationship among motor performance, age and gender in a representative sample of schoolchildren from montes claros, minas gerais, brazil. the sample consisted of 2849 subjects (1457 girls and 1392 boys), ranging in age from 6 to 18 years, selected randomly. the motor performance components were determined using a test battery consisting of five items: a) sit-and-reach, b) curl-ups, c) trunk-lift, d) push-ups, and e) pacer. the results show that, in almost all motor tests occurred differences intersexes from 6 years and up which increased abruptly after 12-13 years. in relation to chronological age, boys presented gradually better results from 6 to 18 years in the majority of the motor tests. girls' best performance occurred around 11-12 years of age followed by a steady performance or a tendency to decline.