| Summary: | In Physical Education the feminial individual is looked
upon as the weaker sex which has to be protected against an
excess of physical activity and achievements. Investigation
has proved that, although there are certain anatomic and
physiological differences between the sexes these differences
are not as radical as was formerly maintained. Furthermore it
has been found that in the programmes for physical education
for girls one can with safety concentrate on the development
of the fundamental aspects, e.g. strength, dynamity, velocity,
endurance and co-ordination, and thereby procure physical
achievements of a high standard.
An investigation in South Africa was found to be necessary
to ascertain the possibilities of achievement of girls in a
diversity of physical activities because differences in achievement
vary from country to country. In this investigation
scales of achievement in six activities for white girls have
been compiled. As far as these girls are concerned numerous
activities must still be tested.
The chronological grouping of girls seems to be well
grounded on the strength of the findings of Delaney,
Adams, Cozens, Cubberley, Neilson, Mitchell and Espenschade.
(Chapter 4) Hence the application of these scales is rather
simplified.
The scales of achievements are compiled with the view of
1) supplying a gauge according to which the capability
and improvement of the girls can be ascertained objectively;
2) to assess the physical possibilities of girls and thereby
to eliminate weaknesses and to provide a stimulus for the
improvement thereof;
3) to obtain a picture of the physical efficiency
and achievement possibilities of white school girls in
Transvaal;
4) to contribute to a better method of teaching the
subject of physical education.
For the compilation of the scale of achievements
4,645 tests by 797 school girls in the province of Transvaal
were taken. The procedure followed in taking these
tests was standardised beforehand, and most activities
are in agreement with the procedure followed at athletic
meetings. Implementing the scales is thus very simple
and intelligible.
In choosing the activities the fundamental aspects
borne in mind are strength, dynamity, velocity, endurance
and co-ordination. The tests are also chosen such that
their penultimate aim is of a high practise value and
usefulness as well as versatile development.
B. Conclusions:
a) The scales provide for objective and the reliable
determining of the physical capabilities of 11 to
17 year old Transvaal school girls in the six activities,
i.e. 100 yards sprint, standing broad jump, throwing
the hockey ball, putting the shot, the side step test
and the basket-ball go throw.
The compiled results are obtained from a representative
group of school-going girls in the Transvaal.
The scales cannot thus be accepted as national standards
unless the possibilities of the differences of achievements
of corresponding groups in other provinces have
been ascertained.
b) The results of the investigation throw light
on the achievement capabilities of the Transvaal school
girl.
(i) It would seem as if the Transvaal white
school girl surpasses all other racial groups, i.e.
Bantu, Chinese, Coloured and Indian girls between 11
and 17 years of age as far as speed is concerned.
The white girl is capable of a much higher achievement
capability which could be due to better teaching
facilities and abilities for physical training.
(ii) In the standing broad jump the South African
girl beats the American girl in all age groups.
(iii) A comparison between the South African boy and
girl indicates that the boy in the age group from 12 - 17
years beats the opposite sex in all activities with the
exception of the girl in the thirteen year old age group in
which the girl is superior by 1.1 seconds taken on an average
basis.
c. The differences of the average achievement capabilities
of the different activities and the significance
thereof justify the conclusion that girls from 11 to 13
years of age should not be grouped in the activities of this
investigation with the exception of the side step-test for 11
and 12 year olds who should enjoy this activity together as a
single group.
Primarily it seems feasible to classify 15 to 17 year
old girls as a homogeneous group, but when the significance of
the differences is being assessed it becomes obvious that this
grouping becomes unjustified (p 66 - 67)
C. Further Investigations:
This investigation is limited to the school-going
girl of the Transvaal. The following are revealed:
1. Before these scales can be accepted as national
standards their validity must be verified by means of a comparison
with similar data obtained from the other provinces of
our country.
2. The question of the achievement capabilities of girls
of other races in South-Africa, especially the Bantu girl,
should be investigated,
3. Achievement scales for white girls under 11 years
of age and of those of women students would be a welcome appendix.
4. The scales in this investigations provide data
for six Physical Training activities only. Hence it is
essential to extend this test programme in order to supply
objective standards to ascertain the value of other
activities of Physical Education.
5. Factors such as social and economic conditions
could influence the achievement capabilities of the individual.
Such an investigation could reveal important
facts.
As far as scientific investigation in connection with
the female individual is concerned, a wide field for investigation
is still left open. === Thesis (MA)--PU vir CHO
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