Determining the Relationship of Combined Motor Skills: Speed – Strength – Agility in 11–12-Year-Old Students

Abstract

The study investigates the relationship between speed, strength and agility in 11–12-year-old students using five motor tests: 50 m sprint, long jump, sit-ups, trunk extensions and an obstacle course. The research included 30 students (20 boys, 10 girls) from the "Marin Preda" Theoretical High School of Bucharest. The results indicate a high homogeneity in speed (CV = 6.35%) and agility (CV = 9.61%) tests but significant variability in strength and muscular endurance tests (CV = 29.13% for trunk lifts, CV = 37.55% for extensions). Sprint performance showed a strong negative correlation with trunk strength (R = -0.875 and R = -0.830, p < 0.001), revealing that stronger students achieved better running times. Agility, measured through the obstacle course test, was strongly negatively correlated with the long jump (R = -0.944, p < 0.001), suggesting a significant influence of lower limbs explosive strength on agility. The conclusions highlight the interdependence between speed, strength and agility, showing the importance of personalized training programs that support the balanced development of these motor skills meant to optimize students' physical performance.