THE DIFFERENCE IN SOME MOTOR SKILLS BETWEEN JUDOKAS AND NON-ATHLETES OF AN EARLY SCHOOL AGE

The aim of this research is to determine the difference in motor skills between male judokas and non-athletes of an early school age. The sample of participants in this research was made up of 42 boys, aged between 7 and 8. The sample was divided into two subsamples, one of which consisted of judokas (N=22) of the “Kinezis” University Judo Sports Club from Niš, and the other of students of the “Vožd Karađorđe” Elementary School from Niš (N=20). A battery of tests consisting of 13 measuring instruments was used to estimate: A battery of tests consisting of 13 measuring instruments was used to estimate: Explosive strength – Long jump (MLJ, in centimeters), High jump (MHJ, in centimeters), Medicine ball throw (MTMB in meters); movement frequency speed – Hand tapping (MHT, in frequency), Feet tapping against the wall (MFTW, in frequency); Running speed – 20-meters sprint (M20S in seconds); Repetitive strength – Sit-ups in 60 seconds (MSU, in frequency), Knee push-ups (MKPP, in frequency); Prone lying back extension (MHPT in degrees), flexibility – Standing forward bend (MBOTF, in centimeters), Standing backward bend (MBBTF, in centimeters), Standing side bend-left (MLSBTF, in degrees), Standing side bend-right (MRSBTF, in degrees). After the results were acquired, the conclusion was reached that 6 of the total 13 variables show a statistically significant difference between judokas and non-athletes. In all 6 of them, judokas exhibited better results (MLJ, MTMB, M20S, MRT, MKPP, and MHPT). The other 7 variables showed no significant difference (MHJ, MHT, MFTW, MBOTF, MBBTF, MLSBTF, and MRSBTF). Having in mind the fact that a great number of PE teachers give very large significance to monitoring the development of motor skills of students, the results of this paper prove that practicing judo contributes to improving the motor skills of children, so it can serve as an idea to supplement physical education, as an obligatory subject, with elements of judo or to include judo in the elementary school curriculum