49 Toma`in, K., ^oh, M., [kof, B. (2001). Correlation of morphologic and motor variables with performance… KinSI 7(1–2), 49–56
CORRELATION OF MORPHOLOGIC AND
MOTOR VARIABLES WITH PERFORMANCE
OF YOUNG FEMALE SPRINTERS 
ON 60 METERS
POVEZANOST MORFOLO[KIH IN
MOTORI^NIH SPREMENLJIVK Z
USPE[NOSTJO MLADIH [PRINTERK V TEKU
NA 60 METROV
Katja Toma`in
Milan ^oh
Branko [kof
Abstract
This study explains the role of morphological and mo-
toric parameters in sprinting performance of young
female sprinters in the 60 m run. Fifteen motoric and
fourteen morphological parameters were used. The
criterion was result of a 60 m run. The subject sam-
ple consisted of fifty-five girls, from 11 to 12 years of
age.
With the method of expert modelling we evaluated
performance in the space of motoric and morpholo-
gical parameters. The correlation between the result
of a 60 m run and potential successfulness was esti-
mated with Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The cor-
relation is statistically significant at a level of 1% error.
Key words: sprint running, girls, motor skills, morpho-
logical characteristics, modelling
Izvle~ek
Naloga pojasnjuje povezanost morfolo{kih in motori~-
nih spremenljivk z uspe{nostjo mladih {printerk v teku
na 60 m. V motori~nem prostoru smo zajeli baterijo
petnajstih spremenljivk, v morfolo{kem prostoru pa
smo zajeli baterijo {tirinajstih spremenljivk. Kriterijsko
spremenljivko je predstavljal rezultat v teku na 60 m.
Obravnavani vzorec je bil sestavljen iz 55 deklic, ki so
bile stare od 11 do 12 let.
Za dosego omenjenega cilja smo postavili reduciran
potencialni model uspe{nosti v motori~nem in mor-
folo{kem prostoru, ki smo ga ovrednotili z metodo
ekspertnega modeliranja. S Pearsonovim korelacijskim
koeficientom smo ugotovili povezanost med dejan-
sko uspe{nostjo (rezultatom teka na 60 m) in poten-
cialno uspe{nostjo. Povezanost je statisti~no zna~ilna
na nivoju 1% tveganja.
Klju~ne besede: {printerski tek, deklice, motori~ne
sposobnosti, morfolo{ke zna~ilnosti, modeliranje
(Received: 22. 11. 1999 – Accepted: 12. 11. 2001)
Contact address
Katja Toma`in
University of Ljubljana - Faculty of Sport
Gortanova 22
SI-1000 Ljubljana
Slovenia
Phone: +386 1 540-10-77
Fax: +386 1 540-22-33
E-mail: Katja.Tomazin@sp.uni-lj.si

50 Toma`in, K., ^oh, M., [kof, B. (2001). Correlation of morphologic and motor variables with performance… KinSI 7(1–2), 49–56
INTRODUCTION
Results in many of sport disciplines depend on the
status and interdependence of the individual dimen-
sions of the human psychosomatic status. The psycho-
somatic status is also influenced by internal and exter-
nal factors. Dimensions have a special bondage and
also interdependent influence on each other. Becau-
se of this bond and their interdependence their indi-
vidual influence on the result is very unclear. Becau-
se of this we couldn’t take all of them (all the factors
that define the result) into consideration. 
Factors that define successfulness in sprint are very
complex and involved. We therefore used a simplified
model and deal with it only from the most important
viewpoints. The aim of this research was to find the
association of morphologic and motor variables with
performance of young female sprinters. Therefore we
constructed the model of potential successfulness for
young female sprinters in motor and morphologic spa-
ce. In this model of potential successfulness we conc-
luded from causes (motor and morphologic variables)
to consequence (their 60m results). 
REDUCED POTENTIAL MODEL OF
SPRINTING SUCCESSFULNESS IN
MORPHOLOGIC SPACE
Performance in sprint is also influenced by the morp-
hologic characteristics of subjects. The assessed po-
tential model of sprinting successfulness in morpho-
logic space was based on the hierarchical structure of
anthropometric dimensions, which was introduced in
the research of Kureli}, Momirovi}, Stojanovi}, [turm
and Viski}-[talec in 1975. Five latent dimensions were
isolated with factorisation of 17 anthropometric va-
riables in this research:
1. Longitudinal dimensions of the human body
(body height, length of leg and length of arm).
2. Transversal dimensions of the human body
(shoulder width, pelvic width, knee diameter
and ankle diameter).
3. Circumferences of the human body (thigh cir-
cumference, shank circumference).
4. Factor of body fat (skin-folds).
5. Body mass. 
There are no ideal anthropometric characteristics for
sprinters, but we couldn’t ignore some influence of
these characteristics on sprinting performance. The
macro and the micro level of anthropometric charac-
teristics of sprinters are crucial for sprinting perfor-
mance. The macro level of anthropometric characte-
ristic is consisted of the following variables: body
height, body mass, leg length, thigh and shank cir-
cumference, shoulder and pelvic width. On the ot-
her hand the structure and function of neuro-muscu-
lar system represent the micro level. In our model we
assessed only the macro level of anthropometric cha-
racteristics, because the measurement procedure was
then not so complicated. 
The highest level of our model consist of body mass,
external geometric dimensions and internal geometric
dimensions (Table 1).
The important morphologic characteristic is body
mass. The association between body mass and the re-
sult in the short sprint is statistically significant (Harli-
~ek, 1972; [turm, Pavlovi}, & Strel, 1976). Greater
body mass represents a larger quantity of active musc-
le mass, which is a very important factor for sprinting
performance. Many authors had also obtained a ne-
gative association between the body mass and sprin-
ting performance in their research work (Ozolin,
1949, Volkov, Lapin, & Smirnov, 1972). Less body
mass could enable a higher stride frequency and the-
refore a higher sprinting speed (Volkov et al., 1972).
The knot of the external dimension consists of the fol-
lowing dimensions: longitudinal and transversal di-
mensions and also the circumference of the human
body (Table 1). Longitudinal dimensions consist of
body height and leg length. If we defined sprinting
speed as a product of stride frequency and stride
length, sprinters with greater body height and length
leg have an advantage over smaller ones. Longitudi-
nal dimensions have a positive association with the
result in short sprint of boys and girls (Strel, 1976; Har-
li~ek, 1972). In a physical sense, longer limbs also
have a longer handle, which enables greater force
production. We could conclude that extremes in body
height and leg length (positive or negative) have a ne-
gative impact on sprinting performance. 
Transversal dimensions consisted of the following va-
riables: shoulder and pelvic width, then knee and an-
kle diameter (Table 1). Pelvic width has generally a
negative impact on most motor abilities, but transver-
sal dimensions of the bones are in a positive associa-
tion with performance, which depends on the mec-
hanism for regulation of intensity (Kureli}, Momirovi},
Stojanovi}, [turm, & Viski}-[talec, 1975). This mec-
hanism is in charge of explosive and elastic power,
which is very important in sprint running. Explosive
power has greater impact on the sprint start, but ela-
stic power has more influence on sprinting with ma-
ximal speed.
Relaxed upper arm circumference, thigh and shank
circumferences define the dimension of circumferen-
ce of the body. Those sprinters, who have a bigger
upper arm, thigh and shank circumference, have al-
so more active muscle mass. More muscle mass enab-
les production of greater force. The association bet-

51 Toma`in, K., ^oh, M., [kof, B. (2001). Correlation of morphologic and motor variables with performance… KinSI 7(1–2), 49–56
ween the cross-sectional area of the muscle and for-
ce production has values between 0.5 and 0.7 (May-
hew, Ball, Ward, Hart, & Arnold, 1991). 
The skin-fold of some body part represents the knot
of internal geometric dimensions: stomach, triceps,
thigh and shank skin-fold. Skin-folds represent body
fat. Body fat (especially on active segments) has a ne-
gative impact on success in sprint running. Skin-fold
has generally a negative impact on the result in sprint
running of girls (^oh, 1991). 
REDUCED POTENTIAL MODEL OF
SPRINTING SUCCESSFULNESS IN
MOTORIC SPACE
Our potential model (Table 1) of sprint successfulness
is based on a hierarchical structure of motor abilities
(Kureli} et al., 1975), properties of sprint running and
bio-psycho-social qualities of girl’s 11 to 12 years of
age. We used the following classification of motor abi-
lities: speed, endurance, strength, co-ordination, fle-
xibility, precision and balance. Variability of motor abi-
lities depends on 4 latent mechanisms:
1. Mechanism for movement structuring
2. Mechanism for synergetic and tonus regulation
3. Mechanism for regulation of intensity of excita-
tion
4. Mechanism for regulation of duration of excita-
tion
These 4 mechanisms have two common latent dimen-
sions:
1. Energy component of movement is in charge of the
mechanism for regulation of intensity and of the
mechanism for regulation of duration of excitation.
2. Informational component of movement is in char-
ge of the mechanism for movement structuring and
of the mechanism for synergetic and tonus regula-
tion.
The first level of our model consisted of: basic mo-
tor abilities and special motor abilities. The second
level of our model consisted of the two above-men-
tioned mechanisms: energy component of move-
ment and informational component of movement.
The third level of the tree consisted of the 4 abo-
ve-mentioned mechanisms. The first one is mec-
hanism for movement structuring, which is in char-
ge of co-ordination. The second one is mechanism
for synergetic and tonus regulation, which is in
charge of flexibility and speed of alternate move-
ments. The third one is mechanism for regulation
of intensity of excitation, which is in charge of
speed, explosive and elastic power. The fourth one
is mechanism for regulation of duration of excita-
tion. This one is in charge of repetitive strength and
aerobic and anaerobic endurance. 
Co-ordination is ability to perform movements with a
complex motor structure (Agre`, 1979). In this space
we chose the following two tests: polygon backwards
and eight jumps – hurdles of different height. Co-or-
dination has a great influence on sprinting performan-
ce on macro and micro level. Macro level is repre-
sented with – of that are very important to include
and exclude consecutively the proper motor unit and
muscle group. 
Flexibility is the ability to perform movement with a
maximal amplitude (Agre`, 1979). We chose the fol-
lowing two tests: forward bend and touch on a bench
and frontal leg flexibility in the prone position. We
could say that maximal speed is a product of the stri-
de length and frequency, so inadequate flexibility of
hips could cause shorter stride length than is normal. 
The space of speed consisted of two parts: simple
reaction and speed of alternate movements (arm pla-
te-tapping, left and right foot tapping). Simple reac-
tion is very important at the beginning of the run. A
crucial point of simple reaction is the time for the in-
formation, who has to pass from the sensor organ (ear)
to the central nervous system (where the response is
made) and then back through the efferent pathways
to the effectors (muscles), which perform the push-
off from the starting block. The speed of alternate mo-
vements also depends on the central nervous system,
which includes or excludes proper muscle groups. 
In the space of strength we used three tests for explo-
sive and three tests for elastic power. For explosive
power of the legs we used standing broad jump and
vertical jump, whereas for explosive power of the
arms we used heavy ball throwing. For elastic power
we used standing and running triple jump and also
eight jumps with hurdles of the same height. Explosi-
ve strength has a great influence on the start, whereas
elastic strength has more influence on the performan-
ce in the continuation of the run, but at the end of the
run repetitive strength is also a very important factor.
In our model we used the following three tests: late-
ral hops, sit ups and pull-ups on a horizontal bar. 
Aerobic endurance is also an important factor, which
could have a great influence on performance in sprin-
ting. So we used the 1200 m run for evaluation of this
ability. 
METHODS
The sample comprised of 55 girls from 11 to 12 years
of age. In order to achieve the set goal, we construc-
ted a reduced potential model of successfulness in
motor and morphological space. In motor space we
used a battery of 15 variables and in morphological

52 Toma`in, K., ^oh, M., [kof, B. (2001). Correlation of morphologic and motor variables with performance… KinSI 7(1–2), 49–56
MARK >=4.0 >=3.5 >=3.0 >=2.0
WEIGHT EXCELLENT VERY GOOD GOOD SUITABLE
MARK 100.0
– MORPHOLOGY 20.0
– BODY MASS 1.0 43-47 38-52 32-58 27-64
– EXTERNAL GEOMETRIC DIMENSIONS 12.0
– LONGITUDINAL DIMENSIONS 4.0
– BODY HEIGHT 2.0 156-160 162-164 145-170 139-176
– LENGTH OF LEG 2.0 88-92 86-95 82-100 77-104
– TRANSVERSAL DIMENSIONS 4.0
– SHOULDER WIDTH 1.0 33-34 31-36 29-38 26-40
– PELVIC WIDTH 1.0 24-25 22-26 21-28 19-29
– KNEE DIAMETER 1.0 8.4-8.6 7.9-8.8 7.5-9.3 7.0-9.7
– ANKLE DIAMETER 1.0 6.5-6.7 6.2-6.9 5.7-7.3 5.4-7.6
– CIRCUMFERENCES 4.0
– RELAXED UPPER ARM CIRCUMFERENCES 1.0 >=26 >=24.1 >=20.3 >=18.3
– THIGH CIRCUMFERENCE 1.5 >=56.9 >=52.9 >=44.7 >=40.8
– SHANK CIRCUMFERENCE 1.5 >=37.3 >=34.9 >=30.3 >=27.9
– INTERNAL GEOMETRIC DIMENSIONS 7.0
– STOMACH SKIN FOLD 1.5 <=6 <=8 <=10 <=12
– TRICEPS SKIN FOLD 1.5 <=6 <=9 <=11 <=13
– THIGH SKIN FOLD 2.0 <=12 <=15 <=18 <=20
– SHANK SKIN FOLD 2.0 <=7 <=11 <=14 <=15
– MOTORICS 80.0
– BASIC MOTORICS 25.0
– INFORMATIONAL COMPONENT 13.0
– MECHANISM FOR MOVEMENT STRUCTURING 3.0
– COORDINATION 3.0
– POLYGON BACKWARDS 3.0 <=7.4 <=9.6 <=14.1 <=16.4
– MECHANISM FOR SYNERGIC AND TONUS REGULATION 10.0
– FLEXIBILITY 2.0
– FORWARD BEND AND TOUCH ON A BENCH 2.0 50-54 45-56 40-62 34-68
– SPEED OF ALTERNATE MOVEMENTS 8.0
– ARM TAPPING 2.0 >=52 >=47 >=37 >=31
– RIGHT FOOT TAPPING 3.0 >=24 >=22 >=18 >=16
– LEFT FOOT TAPING 3.0 >=24 >=22 >=18 >=16
– ENERGY COMPONENT 12.0
– MECHANISM FOR REGULATION OF INTENSITY OF EXCITATION 8.0
– EXPLOSIVE POWER 8.0
– STANDING BROAD JUMP 8.0 >=232 >=214 >=177 >=159
– MECHANISM FOR REGULATION OF DURATION OF EXCITATION 4.0
– REPETITIVE STRENGTH 4.0
– SIT UPS 2.0 >=63 >=56 >=42 >=34
– PULL UPS ON HORIZONTAL BAR 2.0 >=20 >=15 >=5 >=2
– SPECIFIC MOTOR ABILITIES 55.0
– INFORMATIONAL COMPONENT 8.0
– MECHANISM FOR MOVEMENT STRUCTURING 6.0
– COORDINATION 6.0
– EIGHT JUMPS-HURDLES OF DIFFERENT SIZE 6.0 <=3.5 <=3.9 <=4.6 <=5.2
– MECHANISM FOR SYNERGIC AND TONUS REGULATION 2.0
– FLEXIBILITY 2.0
– FRONTAL LEG FLEXIBILITY IN PRONE 2.0 95-105 84-112 71-112 60-140
– ENERGY COMPONENT 47.0
– MECHANISM FOR REGULATION OF INTENSITY OF EXCITATION 40.0
– EXPLOSIVE POWER 10.0   
– VERTICAL JUMP 5.0 >=52 >=46 >=34 >=28
– HEAVY BALL  THROWING 5.0 >=8.7 >=7.7 >=5.5 >=4.4
– ELASTIC POWER 26.0
– STANDING TRIPLE JUMP 10.0 >=656 >=616 >=537 >=499
– RUNNING TRIPLE JUMP 10.0 >=811 >=763 >=667 >=619
– EIGHT JUMP-HURDLES OF SAME HEIGHT 6.0 <=3.9 <=4.4 <=5.4 <=5.9
– REACTION 4.0
– SIMPLE REACTION 4.0 <=5 <=10 <=21 <=26
– MECHANISM FOR REGULATION OF INTENSITY OF EXCITATION 7.0
– REPETITIVE STRENGTH 3.0
– LATERAL HOPS 3.0 >=40 >=36 >=27 >=22
– AEROBIC ENDURANCE 4.0
– 1200 m RUN 4.0 <=274.2 <=309.1 <=378.9 <=413.9
Table 1: Absolute decision rules and normalisers for younger girls.

53 Toma`in, K., ^oh, M., [kof, B. (2001). Correlation of morphologic and motor variables with performance… KinSI 7(1–2), 49–56
space 14 variables. The criterion was the result of a
60m sprint. The reduced model of potential success-
fulness has a hierarchical structure (Table 1). On the
lowest level we have the basic criteria (tests of the in-
dividual motor abilities and morphologic characteri-
stics). These basic criteria are then aggregated into
combined criteria (aggregated criteria, ex.: explosive
power). At the highest level we have the trunk of the
tree (assessment of suitableness for sprint). The basic
criteria are named leaves of the tree and the aggrega-
ted criteria knots. For each leaf and each knot we set
a weight, which represents the absolute proportion of
that individual factor towards the final successfulness.
The values of the tests were evaluated by defining nu-
merical normalisers that divide the range of possible
values into five classes (unsuitable [0.0–1.9], suitable
[2.0–2.9], good [3.0–3.4], very good [3.5–3.9] and
excellent [4.0–5.0]). On the basis of these values we
can then compute the final predicted successfulness
in sprint of each individual athlete. The model of po-
tential successfulness was evaluated with the expert
modelling method - computer programme SPEX (Le-
sko{ek, 1995). The mark at the highest level is there-
fore a combination of the marks of the individual sub-
dimensions. The result is given with values on a
five-point scale (unsuitable [0.0–1.9], suitable
[2.0–2.9], good [3.0–3.4], very good [3.5–3.9] and
excellent [4.0–5.0]). The correlation between the
marks obtained with the reduced model of potential
successfulness and the actual results in sprint was al-
so checked with hierarchical regression analysis (met-
hod ENTER). The validity of the model was assessed
with the Pearson correlation coefficient between the
actual sprint result (60m run) and the computed po-
tential successfulness (obtained with expert model-
ling). In this way we assessed the quality of our mo-
del.
RESULTS
On the basis of the constructed model (hierarchical
structure of the model’s dimensions, weights and nor-
malisers) we obtained, on the highest level, the marks
of potential successfulness for each girl. These are
shown in Figure 1. The correlation between the mo-
del’s assessment and the actual competitive result is
shown in Figure 2 (-0.66, P<0.001).
Correlation between the criterion variable (the result
of a 60 m run) and evaluation on each hierarchical le-
vel of our model are represented in Table 2. With our
model we managed to explain 44% of the criterion
variable’s variability (Table 2).
DISCUSSION
We have therefore assessed the potential successful-
ness of young female sprinters on all the levels of our
model with expert modelling. The statistical signifi-
cance of the Pearson correlation coefficient pointed
to a high correlation between the prediction of our
model and the actual 60m result, attesting to the qua-
lity of the constructed model. The evaluation of the
motor space had the highest value of the correlation
coefficient with the actual 60 m result on the other
hand the correlation of the morphological space with
the actual sprinting performance was somewhat lo-
wer.
A more detailed inspection of the evaluation of the
morphological space showed that the highest corre-
lation with the criterion had the evaluation of exter-
nal geometric dimensions. In the physical sense the
sprinting speed is the product of the stride length and
the stride frequency. Among other factors that influen-
02 04 06 08 0
PERCENT (%)
SUITABLE
GOOD
VERY GOOD
7,5
8
8,5
9
9,5
10
10,5
11
11,5
1234
EVALUATION
THE RESULTOFA60 m RUN (s)
Figure 1: Structure of evaluation for a 60 m run
Figure 2: Association between the evaluation and the result of
a 60 m run

54 Toma`in, K., ^oh, M., [kof, B. (2001). Correlation of morphologic and motor variables with performance… KinSI 7(1–2), 49–56
Table 2: Results of correlation analysis between the actual performance and model of potential successfulness
pPR
MARK –0,66 0,000 0,43
– MORPHOLOGY –0,45 0,001 0,20
– BODY MASS –0,16
– EXTERNAL GEOMETRIC DIMENSIONS –0,25
– LONGITUDINAL DIMENSIONS –0,32 0,018 0,10
– BODY HEIGHT –0,21
– LENGTH OF LEG –0,35 0,008 0,12
– TRANSVERSAL DIMENSIONS –0,04
– SHOULDER WIDTH –0,20
– PELVIC WIDTH –0,15
– KNEE DIAMETER –0,10
– ANKLE DIAMETER 0,05
– CIRCUMFERENCES –0,07
– RELAXED UPPER ARM CIRCUMFERENCES –0,01
– THIGH CIRCUMFERENCE –0,06
– SHANK CIRCUMFERENCE –0,11
– INTERNAL GEOMETRIC DIMENSIONS –0,27 0,047 0,07
– STOMACH SKIN FOLD –0,27
– TRICEPS SKIN FOLD –0,13
– THIGH SKIN FOLD –0,02
– SHANK SKIN FOLD –0,41 0,004 0,16
– MOTORICS –0,66 0,000 0,44
– BASIC MOTORICS –0,55 0,000 0,30
– INFORMATIONAL COMPONENT –0,24
– MECHANISM FOR MOVEMENT STRUCTURING –0,38 0,004 0,14
– COORDINATION –0,38 0,004 0,14
– POLYGON BACKWARDS –0,38 0,004 0,14
– MECHANISM FOR SYNERGIC AND TONUS REGULATION –0,14
– FLEXIBILITY –0,08
– FORWARD BEND AND TOUCH ON A BENCH –0,08
– SPEED OF ALTERNATE MOVEMENTS –0,12
– ARM TAPPING –0,27
– RIGHT FOOT TAPPING –0,05
– LEFT FOOT TAPING –0,06
– ENERGY COMPONENT –0,66 0,000 0,43
– MECHANISM FOR REGULATION OF INTENSITY OF EXCITATION –0,61 0,000 0,37
– EXPLOSIVE POWER –0,61 0,000 0,37
– STANDING BROAD JUMP –0,61 0,000 0,37
– MECHANISM FOR REGULATION OF DURATION OF EXCITATION –0,51 0,000 0,26
– REPETITIVE STRENGTH –0,51 0,000 0,26
– SIT UPS –0,33 0,014 0,11
– PULL UPS ON HORIZONTAL BAR –0,44 0,001 0,19
– SPECIFIC MOTOR ABILITIES –0,67 0,000 0,45
– INFORMATIONAL COMPONENT –0,28 0,041 0,08
– MECHANISM FOR MOVEMENT STRUCTURING –0,28 0,042 0,08
– COORDINATION –0,28 0,042 0,08
– EIGHT JUMPS-HURDLES OF DIFFERENT SIZE –0,28
– MECHANISM FOR SYNERGIC AND TONUS REGULATION –0,07
– FLEXIBILITY –0,07
– FRONTAL LEG FLEXIBILITY IN PRONE –0,07
– ENERGY COMPONENT –0,70 0,000 0,49
– MECHANISM FOR REGULATION OF INTENSITY OF EXCITATION –0,70 0,000 0,50
– EXPLOSIVE POWER –0,56 0,000 0,31
– VERTICAL JUMP –0,60 0,000 0,36
– HEAVY BALL  THROWING –0,19
– ELASTIC POWER –0,73 0,000 0,53
– STANDING TRIPLE JUMP –0,61 0,000 0,37
– RUNNING TRIPLE JUMP –0,67 0,000 0,45
– EIGHT JUMP-HURDLES OF SAME HEIGHT –0,14
– REACTION –0,14
– SIMPLE REACTION –0,14
– MECHANISM FOR REGULATION OF INTENSITY OF EXCITATION –0,23
– REPETITIVE STRENGTH –0,31 0,020 0,10
– LATERAL HOPS –0,31 0,020 0,10
– AEROBIC ENDURANCE –0,13
– 1200 m RUN –0,13
Legend: p–Pearson correlation coefficient R–determination coefficient (% of explained criterion variance), P–statistical significance of Pearson cor-
relation coefficient

55 Toma`in, K., ^oh, M., [kof, B. (2001). Correlation of morphologic and motor variables with performance… KinSI 7(1–2), 49–56
ce the stride length is also the leg length (Hay, 1985),
which had the highest correlation with actual sprinting
performance. Many authors reported a positive inf-
luence of body height and leg length on performan-
ce in sprint running (Kureli} et al., 1975; ^oh, &
[turm, 1986; Gomba~, 1967). Body height has a po-
sitive influence on those variables of jumping where
the initial inertia has been followed by movement in
the same direction (Kureli} et al., 1975).
Statistical significant correlation with the sprinting per-
formance had also the evaluation of the internal geo-
metric dimensions, which consisted of skin-folds on
the lower level of our model. Skin-folds represent fat-
ty tissue in the organism. Numerous studies have sho-
wed a negative role of skin-folds on different sections
of a sprinting distance ([turm, 1992; ^oh, & Kugov-
nik, 1990). A study by Kureli} et al. (1975) also speaks
of fatty tissue as ballast mass, preventing better results
in sprints and jumps. In a study by ^oh and Kugovnik
(1990), the stomach skin-fold has the greatest negati-
ve predictive power for sprinting velocity (according
to the value of the beta coefficient) between 5m and
10m. Also the thigh skin-fold has the greatest negati-
ve predictive power for sprinting between 10 and 15
and 20 and 60 m (^oh, & Kugovnik, 1990).
The correlation between the evaluation of motor spa-
ce and the 60m result is higher then previous. From
the basic and specific motor subspaces, the energy
component has higher correlation coefficient with the
sprinting performance than the informational compo-
nent. 
In basic motorics, the evaluation of explosive power,
repetitive power and co-ordination statistically signi-
ficantly correlate with the performance in sprinting.
Explosive power is especially important in the crouch
start and the first part of the sprint, where it is impor-
tant to achieve the greatest possible locomotor velo-
city in the shortest possible time. Starting accelera-
tion, immediately after the start, when the sprinter’s
velocity is still low, is most defined by the starting po-
wer, which represents a combination of explosive and
absolute power (Verho{anskij, 1979).
The reason for significant correlation between the re-
sult of a 60 m run and the evaluation of repetitive po-
wer probably lies in fact that chosen tests are under
the influence of two mechanisms. The first one is
mechanism for regulation of intensity of excitation
and the second one is the mechanism of duration of
excitation (^oh, 1991). Every repetitive movement
includes also explosive power, especially at the start
of the movements. Crucial component for starting
speed and also for maximal speed is especially explo-
sive power. 
Co-ordination is also crucial motor ability for sprin-
ting. It is important on macro and micro level. Good
intra- and inter-muscular co-ordination reflects in ti-
mely inclusion and exclusion of proper motor units
and muscles or muscular groups during running with
maximal speed. 
In addition to co-ordination, evaluation of elastic and
explosive power and also evaluation of repetitive
strength significantly correlate with performance in
specific motoric space. The running and standing tri-
ple jump are significant predictors in elastic power
space, representing a test of push-off power, where
the push-off is performed with one leg and is there-
fore very similar in its structure to sprint. Namely,
sprint can be also considered a series of horizontal
jumps from one leg to another. At push-off the jum-
per develops great force with a specific combination
of eccentric-concentric contraction. The push-off ac-
tion consists of three phases: in the first there is a re-
laxation of the extensors of the push-off leg, in the se-
cond this relaxation ends and a transition into the
third phase is made, where the extensors of the an-
kle, knee and hip joints overcome the force of gravity
with concentric contraction ([turm, Stefanovska, Za-
kraj{ek, & Novak, 1983). The efficiency of push-off
depends therefore on three components: elastic, ex-
plosive and the speed of their integration ([turm et
al., 1983). The push-off in sprinting is composed in a
similar way: in the first phase (braking phase) there is
an eccentric contraction of the extending muscles, in
the second phase a concentric contraction of the ex-
tending muscles follows. However, the important
thing is a rapid transition from one phase to the next. 
Also the eight jumps over the hurdles of different size
significantly correlate with sprinting performance in
specific motor space. The eight jumps test contains
the following two components: co-ordination and ela-
stic component. This test represents a demand for
quick realisation of take-off power. The time of take-
off is a very important factor of this test. The short ti-
mes of take-off enable utilisation of the elastic poten-
tial of a muscle. The short times of take-of and proper
intra- and inter-muscular co-ordination are very im-
portant factors of frequency of running. 
In the space of explosive power the vertical jump has
the highest correlation with criterion. The vertical
jump explains the major part of variability of the re-
sult in the first five meters of the run (^oh, & Kugov-
nik, 1990). The vertical jump has a similar structural
and qualitative demands as the standing broad jump.
In our model we therefore encompassed some of the
abilities and characteristics (and their hierarchical
structure) that are decisive for performance in run-
ning 60 meters. In this way we could evaluate all the
considered dimensions that affect performance for
each individual athlete. In this way we have the pos-
sibility of identifying the strengths and weaknesses of
each girl with the model. The above-mentioned data

56 Toma`in, K., ^oh, M., [kof, B. (2001). Correlation of morphologic and motor variables with performance… KinSI 7(1–2), 49–56
might be a guideline for initial selection and for plan-
ning, monitoring and analysing the training process.
REFERENCES
1. Agre`, F. (1979). Morfolo{ke in motori~ne dimenzije psihosomat-
skega statusa [Morphologic and motor dimensions of the psychomo-
tor status]. Ljubljana: Fakulteta za telesno kulturo.
2. ^oh, M., (1991). Povezanost {printerske hitrosti z morfolo{kimi in
motori~nimi dejavniki pri selekcioniranih pionirjih [Correlation of
sprinting speed with morphologic and motor factors of selected
young male athletes]. SI, 10(6), 19-23.
3. ^oh, M., & [turm, J. (1986). Nekateri biodinami~ni parametri {prin-
terskega teka pri 12–letnih de~kih [Some bio-dynamic parameters
of sprinting for 12 year old boys]. Ljubljana: In{titut za kineziologi-
jo.
4. ^oh, M., & Kugovnik, O. (1990). Odvisnost segmentarne {printer-
ske hitrosti od nekaterih dimenzij antropolo{kega statusa [Depen-
dence of segmentary sprinting speed on some dimensions of the
anthropologic status]. Ljubljana: In{titut za kineziologijo.
5. Gomba~, R. (1967). Zavisnost brzine tr~anja i frekvence koraka od
telesne visine i telesne te`e kod dece 13.-14. Godina [Dependen-
ce of running speed and stride frequency on body height and weight
of 13-14 year old children]. Fizi~ka kultura, 3-4, 120-212.
6. Harli~ek, J. (1972). Zavislost medzi lahkoatletickom vykonostou a
telesnym razvojow v priebehu 4 - ro~ne sportovey pzipravy [Depen-
dence between speed and body development in a four year prepa-
ration period]. Teor. ta praxe tel. vych, 4,12-15.
7. Hay, J.G. (1985). The biomechanics of sports techniques. Prentice-
Hall: Englewood Cliffs.
8. Kureli}, N., Momirovi}, K., .Stojanovi}, N., [turm, J., & Viski}-[ta-
lec, N. (1975). Struktura i razvoj morfolo{kih i motori~nih sposob-
nosti omladine [Structure and development of morphologic and mo-
tor abilities of youth]. Beograd: In{titut za nau~na istra`ivanja
Fakulteta za fizi~ko vaspitivanje Universiteta u Beogradu.
9. Lesko{ek, B. (1995). SPEX - ra~unalni{ki program za analizo podat-
kov meritev {portnikov (uporabni{ki priro~nik) [SPEX – computer
programme for analysing data of athletes (User’s manual)]. Ljub-
ljana: Fakulteta za {port.
10. Mayhew, J.L., Ball, T.E., Ward, T.E., Hart, C.L., & Arnold, M.D.
(1991). Relationships of structural dimension to bench press
strength in college males. JSM, 31(2),135-141.
11. Ozolin, N.G. (1949). Trenirovka legkoatletov [Training track and
field]. Moskva: Fiskuljtura i sport.
12. Strel, J. (1976). Spremembe relacij med nekaterimi antropometri~-
nimi in motori~nimi karakteristikami v obdobju od 11. do 15. leta
[Changes in relation between some anthropometric and motor
characteristics in the 11-15 year age period]. Ljubljana: In{titut za
kineziologijo.
13. [turm, J. (1992). Izbor in usmerjanje otrok v {portne panoge na
podlagi ekspertnega modeliranja [Selection and orientation of chil-
dren into sports on the basis of expert modelling]. Ljubljana: Fa-
kulteta za {port.
14. [turm, J., Pavlovi}, M., & Strel, J. (1976). Za~asni model za~etne-
ga izbora u~encev in u~enk osnovnih {ol za treniranje v posebnih
skupinah [A reduced model of initial selection of male and fema-
le primary school pupils for sports training]. Ljubljana: In{titut za
kineziologijo, V[TK.
15. [turm, J. Stefanovska, A. Zakraj{ek, S., & Novak, J. (1983). Vpliv
elektri~ne stimulacije na nekatere manifestacije odrivne mo~i [E-
ffect of electrical stimulation on some manifestations of push-off
power]. Ljubljana: In{titut za kineziologijo, V[TK.
16. Verho{anskij, J.I. (1979). Razvoj snage u sportu [Development of
strength in sport]. Beograd: Partizan.
17. Volkov, N. I., Lapin V. I., & Smirnov, J. I. (1972). Metaboli~eskie
faktori opredeljaju{~ie uroven dosti`enija v sprinterskom bege [M-
etabolic factors that define the level of achievement in sprint]. Teo-
rija i praktika fizi~eskoj kuljturi.