MUSCULAR ENDURANCE AND STRENGTH IN BOYS AGED FROM 11 TO 13 YEARS

The psychophysical development of humans is genetically determined and influenced by a number of external factors. Nowadays, impacts on the physical development and physical ability of young men are caused by such phenomena as acceleration and civilizational or urban changes. Monitoring of changes in development and the influence of different factors seems to be justified as it is related to the understanding of processes and the introduction of preventive measures in the field of health and physical fitness for future generations. New concepts for testing human physical abilities seem to focus on utilitarian targets related to health needs and daily human activities. The study was performed on a group of 211 boys from an urban area, including 75 at the age of 11, 74 at the age of 12 and 62 at the age of 13. The study examined the strength of abdominal and trunk muscles (sits-up from a lying position), shoulder girdle and lower extremity muscles (overhang on a bar), and explosive strength of upper limbs (forward and backward medicine ball throw). Boys at the age of 11 years achieved the shortest distances, and boys at the age of 13 the longest distances in forward medicine ball throws. The results of the attained distances in backward medicine ball throws were also better in older boys compared to younger ones. The results of the muscle endurance tests were different. In both attempts, boys at the age of 12 attained better results than their younger and older colleagues. The development of strength abilities in boys between the age of 11 and 13 years has stable progress, while the observed differences in muscle endurance in boys at the age of 13 require further monitoring and further examination of their impact in terms of quality and quantity in boys of prepubertal age.