Girls in primary school are just as physically capable as their male classmates, according to our research, taking the unhappiness out of the phrase “you play like a girl.”
When we compared primary schoolchildren’s physical capabilities, differences between girls and boys were not as pronounced as people think. So they should be happily playing with and competing against each other in the backyard, playground and sporting fields.
As part of wider research to assess people’s physical capabilities across their life course, we tested 300 children and teenagers between the ages of 3 and 19. We tested each child for over two hours, taking more than 100 measurements. Across all measures of physical performance, there was one consistent finding. There was no statistical difference in the capabilities of girls and boys until high-school age (commonly age 12).
Let’s use standing long jump as an example. This provides a measure of your legs’ explosive power. We found no difference between boys and girls before they turn 12. Every physical measure followed this pattern. Before the age of 12, boys and girls do just as well as each other in the standing long jump.
There is no consensus (共识) across schools or among different sports about mixed-gender sports for primary school children. For instance, boys and girls compete separately in most local Little Athletics after age five but field hockey (场地曲棍球) can have mixed gender teams until age 17. And in tennis, primary school-aged girls and boys play separately in singles matches but can play against each other in mixed doubles.
Our findings support the push for boys and girls to compete in mixed sporting teams until the end of primary school, after which the hormonal (荷尔蒙的) changes mean boys tend to perform better in sports and tasks requiring strength and speed.
There are also some practical advantages to mixed sports in primary school and in weekend competitions: fewer scheduling conflicts (allowing school and sport administrations to fit games more conveniently into busy sporting places), fewer clubs or organizations to share already stretched government funding.
28. What does the underlined word “pronounced” in paragraph 2mean?
A.Flexible. | B.Horrible | C.Obvious. | D.Incredible. |
29. At what age do boys begin to display a competitive edge in strength-based sports?
A.Age 5. | B.Age 12 | C.Age 17. | D.Age 19. |
30. What is an advantage of mixed-gender sporting teams?
A.Increased competition and motivation. |
B.Enhanced social skills and teamwork. |
C.Decreased conflicts within schools, |
D.Reduced government budget spending. |
31. Which of the following is the best title for the text?
A.When it comes to sports, a boy does play like a girl. |
B.What matters most for girls to be as athletic as boys. |
C.Standing long jump: A sport more for boys than girls. |
D.Battle of sexes: When boys and girls compete in sports. |