Abstract

Anthropometrical and functional evaluations have complementary aims, that’s why its application in children allows getting a better understanding of the function/dysfunction of movement in this population. This descriptive, analytic and transversal study has the purpose to describe the anthropometrical characteristics and the functional performance in several tests in children of Valdivia, analyzing the gender influence on these parameters. 44 children of ages between 7 and 10 years old (X = 8,5 ± 1,0 years) were evaluated (24 men). One of the main findings of the study is the absence of significant differences in the anthropometrical characteristics between men and women. About the functional tests, significant differences exist in the horizontal jump (p = 0,000), supine to stand time (p = 0,011), handgrip strength (p = 0,009) and in the sit to stand test in 30 seconds (p = 0,030), while in the 10 meter walk test aren’t found (p = 0,051). As conclusion, independently of the general anthropometric similarities between the subjects, it is possible to find gender dependent significant variations in the motor functional performance in children of ages between 7 and 10 years old.