PHYSICAL DEVELOPMENT CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHILDREN OF LOW-NUMBERED PEOPLES OF THE NORTH

Objective - to study the developmental characteristics of children of low-numbered peoples of the North. Material and methods. The study included 677 children of low-numbered peoples of the North aged 11-18 years. A comprehensive research program included anthropometric and anthropological methods to examine the physical development of children who have different rates of motor activity. Anthropometric measurements and evaluation of somatotype were carried out according to the procedure developed by B. A. Nikityuk (1991). Results. It was found that the speed of body growth processes was influenced by genetic factors and living conditions. The optimal body constitution formation, active increase in chest circumference, higher body density and enhanced index of physical maturity were observed in athlete children. The study demonstrated the ontogenetic characteristics of North children` physical development that increased their tolerance to severe environment. Conclusions. The study showed high efficiency of the anatomical-anthropometric approach for the assessment of health and physical development of the children of low-numbered peoples of the North who have different rates of motor activity.

children, anthropometry, physical development, motor activity