Factorial Analysis of Physique and Performance in Prepubescent Boys

Abstract

Abstract The principal axes of an intercorrelation matrix (n = 37) of physique and performance data from 95 boys 7–11 years of age were located and rotated to an oblique simple structure in order to determine the nature of the factors involved in the physique of young boys and the relationships between these factors and performance. With the influence of body size virtually nullified by the rotation procedures, three type factors of physique were observed: one related to growth in transverse directions and adipose tissue, and two related to growth in vertical dimensions. Three factors related to motor performance were isolated: power, endurance, and dynamic shoulder strength. The morphological and performance measurements were found to be essentially unrelated.