37 THE RELATION BETWEEN INTELLIGENCE AND LATENT MOTOR SPACE POVEZANOST MED INTELIGENTNOSTJO IN LATENTNIM MOTORI^NIM PROSTOROM Marjeta Kova~ Janko Strel Kova~, M., & Strel, J. (2000). The relation between intelligence and latent motor space. KinSI 6(1–2), 37–46 Abstract The study analyses the relations between latent motor space and fluid intelligence of 1859 girls, aged 10 to 18. To evalua- te their motor abilities 26 tests were selected and the latent structure of motor abilities was studied by classical procedures of factor analysis. Test TN-20 was selected to assess fluid intel- ligence. The relations between the latent motor dimensions and fluid intelligence for each age group were studied by the multiple regression analysis. The relations between the fluid intelligence indicators and agi- lity, coordination of motion in rhythm, the speed of simple motor tasks, and mobility are low, but statistically significant for younger subjects. The tasks with complicated motion structu- re, being new to the subjects, and supposedly to be success- fully solved in the shortest possible time or in the optimum rhythm, demand a certain level of fluid intelligence. The ca- pacity of the central nervous system to receive, supervise, har- monise and elaborate different information is in the fore- ground. The connections with the energy variables at the age of 17 and 18 are surprising and can be explained by a rational use of techniques, requiring the involvement of mechanism for to- nus regulation. The subjects control and correct motion per- formance on the basis of feedback information, comparing the data from the long term memory. Key words: latent structure of motor abilities, intelligence, girls from 10 to 18 years of age Izvle~ek V {tudiji so analizirane povezave med latentnim motori~nim prostorom in fluidno inteligentnostjo 1859 deklet, starih 10 do 18 let. Za oceno motori~nih sposobnosti smo izbrali 26 testov, ki pokrivajo vse podprostore motorike, latentno strukturo mo- tori~nega prostora pa smo preu~evali s klasi~nimi postopki fak- torske analize. Za oceno fluidne inteligentnosti smo izbrali test TN-20. Povezave med latentnimi motori~nimi dimenzijami in fluidno inteligentnostjo smo za vsako starostno skupino preu- ~evali z multiplo regresijsko analizo. Povezave med fluidno inteligentnostjo in agilnostjo, koordina- cijo gibanja v ritmu, hitrostjo izvajanja enostavnih gibov in gib- ljivostjo so nizke, a statisti~no zna~ilne predvsem pri mlaj{ih merjenkah. Sklepamo lahko, da naloge z zapleteno gibalno strukturo, ki so za merjenke nove in jih morajo u~inkovito re- {iti v ~im kraj{em ~asu oziroma v optimalnem ritmu, zahteva- jo odrejeno raven fluidne inteligentnosti. V ospredju je spo- sobnost centralnega `iv~nega sistema, da sprejema, nadzoruje, usklajuje in predeluje razli~ne informacije. Povezanost s spremenljivkami energijskega tipa pri sedemnaj- stih in osemnajstih letih je presenetljiva, pojasnjujemo pa jo z racionalno uporabo tehnike, ki zahteva vklju~evanje mehaniz- ma za tonusno regulacijo. Izvedbo gibanja merjenke hkrati nadzorujejo in popravljajo na podlagi povratnih informacij s primerjanjem podatkov iz dolgoro~nega spomina. Klju~ne besede: latentna struktura, motori~ne sposobnosti, in- teligentnost, dekleta, starost 10 do 18 let (Received: 8. 9. 2000 – Accepted: 14. 12. 2000) University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Sport, Ljubljana, Slovenia Contact address Marjeta Kova~ Univerza v Ljubljani - Fakulteta za {port, Gortanova 22, SI-1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia Tel: +386 1 540-10-77 Fax: +386 1 540-22-33 E-mail: Marjeta.Kovac@guest.arnes.si 38 INTRODUCTION Children’s and youngsters’ development follows cer- tain successive levels defined by quantitative as well as qualitative changes. Certain areas of development are correlated, as they are parallel or interconnected. The altered morphological characteristics and motion abilities of the young, different structure of motiva- tion and different attitude of the society towards sport and healthy living, and at the same time an increased danger of negative trends and a changing economic and social picture of the citizens, give a special place to physical education in the society. It is therefore very important to understand the development characte- ristics of the young, their abilities and motivation. It enables us to select adequate goals, contents and wor- king methods in the process of physical education. The objective of this research was to determine the re- lations between latent motor space and general intel- ligence of schoolgirls aged 10 to 18 years. The re- search was based on the motor model of Kureli} and colleagues (1975) and the Cattell-Horn theory of flu- id and crystallised intelligence (Poga~nik, 1995). We assessed the content and the level of correlation for each age group, and we studied at the same time the changes in the correlation in the process of growing up. The research work in the area of motor behaviour in Slovenia is based on the model of Kureli} and collea- gues (1975). The Model of Kureli} and colleagues (1975) is hierarchic and based on functional mecha- nisms responsible for latent motor abilities. There are four dimensions at the lower level: the mechanism for movement structuring, the mechanism for syner- gy automation and the regulation of tonus, the mec- hanism for regulation of excitation intensivity, and the mechanism for regulation of the duration of excita- tion. There are two dimensions at the higher level: the mechanism for central regulation of movement and the mechanism for energy regulation. At the hig- hest level the mechanism for regulation of movement is called the general factor of motorics. The findings of different authors ([turm, 1977; Strel, 1981; Pavlo- vi}, 1982) have confirmed that the structure of motor abilities is organised hierarchically, and that it is pri- marily determined by two dimensions of wide range regulation. The processes of structuring, control and regulation of motor activities prevail in the first one, therefore it is supposed to depend on the mechanism of reception, analysis and implementation of infor- mation, and the energy regulation of movement pre- vails in the second one. The Catell-Horn theory (Cattell 1963, 1971, Horn 1985; according to Poga~nik, 1995) claims that the primary mental abilities reflect basic psychological structures and processes. They represent those sour- ces of differences among people which are subjected to the basic modules of intellect. All the abilities are correlated positively among themselves and are as- sembled into a wide range of abilities. At the highest level the neuro-physiological ability of information analysis, by Cattell called fluid intelligence Gf, and the experiences, called crystallised intelligence Gc, are substantial. To study the relations of motor abili- ties we have selected the fluid intelligence, which is relatively independent of upbringing and experiences and serves as a basis for numerous intellectual activi- ties. It is reflected in the fast and effective resolving of mental problems and is highly correlated with the learning of new areas. Both the fluid intelligence and the crystallised intelli- gence develop very fast from the time of an indivi- dual’s birth to the age of maturity. However, the flu- id intelligence develops as a consequence of biological growth of central nervous system, and the crystallised intelligence as a consequence of invest- ment impact of Gf and the social environment on the education of a person. Gf is supposed to reach its peak at the age of 16, and starts to decline after the age of 30. Gc ends its development a bit later and it does not decline with age, in certain cases of primary mental abilities it even grows until later age (Poga~nik, 1995:74). The performance of the complex motor exercises and the intelligence tests depend on the highest functions, which are decisively affected by the same mecha- nisms (Ismail, 1976). When performing those exerci- ses and solving the intellectual problems the most im- portant is the functioning of central nervous system to receive, to control, to harmonise, and to elabora- te numerous and various information. The performan- ce of such exercises demand a certain level of intel- lectual potentials (fluid intelligence). While the development of intelligence is relatively permanent (Poga~nik, 1995), the physical and motor status of children have changed significantly in the last 20 years ([turm and Strel, 1985; Malina, 1991; Tan- ner, 1991; Przeweda, 1995; Conger and Galambos, 1997; Kondri~ and [ajber Pincoli~, 1997). We have assessed the content and the level of correlation for each age group, and we have, at the same time, stu- died the changes in the correlation in the process of growing up. Because of the difference in the morphological and motor development, and the differences in the cor- relation between intelligence and motor abilities ac- cording to gender (Mohan and Bhatia, 1989; Strel and @agar, 1993) we have taken only girls as the sample of the research work. Kova~, M., & Strel, J. (2000). The relation between intelligence and latent motor space. KinSI 6(1–2), 37–46 39 METHODS Subjects The sample of 1859 schoolgirls of primary and secon- dary schools was stratified according to the regions, and selected ad hoc within the regions. The sample is representative for Slovenia, since the schools were selected from both bigger and smaller centres, and among the secondary schools we have selected tho- se which can be classified as schools with various types of education. Our research sample covers girls of primary schools who were at the age of 10, 11, 12, 13 and 14 years in the interval of +/– six months from 1 October 1993, and the girls of secondary schools who were at the age of 15, 16, 17 and 18 years in the interval of +/– six months from 1 October 1994, and were not excused from participating in the physical education for health reasons. Prior to that their pa- rents had given a written consent to their participation in the research work. Variables Motor Abilities Tests and Latent Variables On the basis of the hypothetical model of Kureli} and colleagues (1975), the research works of [turm (1970, 1977), and Strel and [turm (1981) we selected 26 tests to assess the motor abilities of the sample to be measured. The tests are described in the project re- search work of Strel and colleagues (1992). Because of the complexity and the extensiveness of measurements the tested girls performed two repeti- tions of energy less consuming tests. When elabora- ting the data, the second repetition was taken into consideration. The subjects performed energy more demanding tests only once. The correlation of manifest variables was explained with the small number of latent variables by the com- ponent model of factor analysis. Their proper values and their proper vectors were isolated with the Kai- ser-Guttman criteria. Intelligence Test We used the test of the set TN-20 (Poga~nik, 1994), which in the first place measures fluid intelligence. It contains also a bit of perceptive and spatial compo- nent. It consists of 45 sets of special tasks increasing in difficulty. The available time is limited to 20 minu- tes; therefore the result is determined also by mental quickness. The test achieved satisfying measurement characteristics; it is practical for use, and relatively free of cultural influence (Poga~nik, 1994, 1995). Due to its measurement attributes the selected measuring Kova~, M., & Strel, J. (2000). The relation between intelligence and latent motor space. KinSI 6(1–2), 37–46 Selected tests Code of test Selected tests Code of test ð plate tapping 20 seconds MTAP20* ð hand drumming MHDRUMM* ðplate tapping 25 cyclesMTAP30*ðhand and feet drumming MHFDRUMM* ð »1–foot tapping« M1FTAP* ð back arm twist MBAT ð standing long jump MSLJ ð bend forward on the bench MBF ð medicine ball put MMBP ð sit and reach MSR ð 60 m run MR60* ð stand on a low beam MSLB ð arm pull dynamometer MDYNAM ð flamingo balance MFLAMIN ð polygon backwards MPBACK ð sit-ups 20 seconds MSU20* ð climbing and descending MCD ð sit-ups 30 seconds MSU30* ð match juggling MMJ* ð sit-ups 60 seconds MSU60* ð figure of eight with low obstacle M8OBS ð bent arm hang MBAHMAX* ð running, rolling, crawling MRRC ð accelerating running MACR* ð running round three stands MR3S ð 600 m run MR600* Table 1: Selected tests and their codes * tests where subjects performed only one repetition age n number percentage proportion of factorsof explainedof firs t principal variance component 10 223 7 64.61 31.84 11 207 7 64.28 27.37 12 221 7 64.83 28.68 13 216 9 68.25 25.11 14 205 8 64.01 23.85 15 174 7 63.93 28.47 16 201 8 66.85 27.87 17 212 8 68.31 30.94 18 200 7 60.50 22.02 Table 2: Number of main components, percentage of explained variance and proportion of first prin- cipal component of various age periods 40 procedure enables us to give quite reliable assessment of fluid intelligence, and it is suitable to be used on the sample of school children in Slovenia. Organisation and the Course of Measurements The measuring of motor abilities and intelligence was carried out in the project ”The analysis of develop- ment trends of motor abilities and morphological cha- racteristics, and the relations of both with the psycho- logical and sociological dimensions of Slovenian children and youth from 7 to 18 years of age in the Period from 1970 - 1983 - 1993” (by Strel and col- leagues, 1992, 1996). Data Analysis We analysed the relations between fluid intelligence and latent motor variables, the latter being mostly res- ponsible for relations at each age group, by means of the multiple regression analysis. The predictor system was represented by motor dimensions, expressed in latent space, and the criterion variable was represen- ted by the result of measuring the intelligence in its manifest form. RESULTS The lowest correlation with the used system of predic- tors was detected at the age of 10, where the isolated latent dimensions explain 8.3 % of the variance of cri- teria variable. It is evident that there are two latent dimensions having statistically significant projection on the variable, which we denominated coordina- tion of movement in rhythm and balance. A relati- ve effect of certain variables on the common varian- ce indicates that coordination of movement in rhythm contributes the most to its explanation. The system of predictors is statistically very high sig- nificantly related to the criteria variable at the age of 11 and 12. The proportion of variance of criteria va- riable, explained by the system of predictor variables, is with 26 % at the age of 16 substantially higher than at the age of 10 years. The relations with latent di- mensions defined as coordination of movement in rhythm, speed of simple motion and balance are al- Kova~, M., & Strel, J. (2000). The relation between intelligence and latent motor space. KinSI 6(1–2), 37–46 age FACOBL1 FACOBL2 FACOBL3 FACOBL4 FACOBL5 FACOBL6 FACOBL7 FACOBL8 FACOBL9 10 Energy Speed of Mobility of Repetitive Coordination of Mobility of Balance component simple motor hip joint strength of movement shoulder girdle tasks abdominal in rhythm muscles 11 Energy Mobility Speed of simple Repetitive Coordination of Mobility Balance component of hip joint motor tasks strength of movement of shoulder girdle abdominal in rhythm muscles 12 Co-ordination Explosive Mobility Repetitive Speed of Rhythmic Coordination and energy strength of hip joint strength of simple motor performance of hands component abdominal tasks of motor tasks movement muscles with hands and legs 13 Co-ordination Repetitive Speed of simple Mobility of hip Balance Explosive Mobility Unnamed Unnamed and energy strength motor tasks joint strength of shoulder factor 1 factor 2 component of abdominal girdle muscles 14 Energy Speed Repetitive Explosive Mobility Coordination Tonus regulation Coordination component of simple strength strength of hip joint of movement of hands motor tasks of abdominal in rhythm movement muscles 15 Agility Mobility Speed of simple Explosive Repetitive Coordination Aerobic of hip joint motor tasks strength strength of movement endurance of hands muscles of abdominal in rhythm muscles 16 Agility Repetitive Mobility Explosive power Balance Coordination Speed of simple Aerobic power of hip joint of hands muscles of movement motor tasks endurance of abdominal in rhythm muscles 17 Agility Repetitive Mobility Aerobic Speed of simple Coordination Explosive Balance strength of hip joint endurance motor tasks hand – eye strength of abdominals in given rhythm of hands muscles muscle 18 Agility Mobility Unnamed Explosive Repetitive Speed of simple Aerobic of hip joint factor 1 strength strength motor tasks endurance of hands muscles of abdominal muscles Table 3: Structure of isolated factors in different age periods 41 Kova~, M., & Strel, J. (2000). The relation between intelligence and latent motor space. KinSI 6(1–2), 37–46 Table 4: The relation of fluid intelligence variable with the latent motor variables of subjects aged from 10 to 18 years 10 years criterion v. RO DELTA F SIGN F TN-20 .288 .083 2.523 .017 predictors BETA CORR PARTIAL T SIGN T P factor 5 (coordination of movement in rhythm) .211 .203 .203 2.906 .004 4.283 factor 7 (balance) .145 .131 .139 1.967 .051 1.899 11 years criterion v. RO DELTA F SIGN F TN-20 .510 .260 9.133 .000 predictors BETA CORR PARTIAL T SIGN T P factor 5 (coordination of movement in rhythm) .307 .368 .326 4.652 .000 11.297 factor 3 (speed of simple motion) .226 .271 .240 3.332 .001 6.124 factor 7 (balance) .200 .285 .216 2.982 .003 5.700 12 years criterion v. RO DELTA F SIGN F TN-20 .342 .117 3.179 .003 predictors BETA CORR PARTIAL T SIGN T P faktor4 (repetitive strength of abdominal muscles) .211 .200 .199 2.628 .009 4.220 factor 5 (speed of simple motion) .197 .216 .188 2.485 .014 4.255 factor 1* (coordination and energy component) –.197 –.034 –.184 –2.423 .016 0.669 13 years criterion v. RO DELTA F SIGN F TN-20 .288 .083 1.736 .084 predictors BETA CORR PARTIAL T SIGN T P factor 9 (non-denominated factor) .183 .209 .184 2.459 .015 3.824 14 years criterion v. RO DELTA F SIGN F TN-20 .383 .147 3.639 .001 predictors BETA CORR PARTIAL T SIGN T P factor 6 (coordination of movement in rhythm) .194 .255 .200 2.650 .009 4.947 factor 4* (explosive strength) –.193 –.255 –.196 –2.597 .010 4.921 15 years criterion v. RO DELTA F SIGN F TN-20 .315 .099 1.230 .296 16 years criterion v. RO DELTA F SIGN F TN-20 .383 .147 1.590 .142 predictors BETA CORR PARTIAL T SIGN T P factor 3 (mobility of hip joint) .290 .311 .279 2.503 .015 9.019 17 years criterion v. RO DELTA F SIGN F TN-20 .435 .189 2.712 .010 predictors BETA CORR PARTIAL T SIGN T P factor 1 (agility) .310 .366 .287 3.123 .005 11.346 18 years criterion v. RO DELTA F SIGN F TN-20 .382 .146 3.545 .002 predictors BETA CORR PARTIAL T SIGN T P factor 2* (mobility of hip joint) –.233 –.259 –.239 –2.970 .003 6.034 *negative sign at factor 1 at the age of 12 years is a consequence of the fact that lower score means a better result when compared to factors 4 and 5 *negative sign at factors 4 and 7 at the age of 14 years is a consequence of the fact that higher score means a better result when compared to factor 6 *negative sign at factor 2 at the age of 18 years is a consequence of the fact that higher score means a better result when compared to other factors 42 so statistically significant. Three latent dimensions (re- petitive strength of abdominal muscles, speed of simple motion and coordination in energy compo- nent) have at the age of 12 statistically significant pro- jections on the criteria variable. The correlation of the whole predictor system and cri- teria variable at the age of 13 is not statistically signi- ficant. And at the age of 14 the correlation of both spaces, the motor and the cognitive space, is again statistically significant. We can explain 14.7 % of va- riance by using the system of predictor variables, which is demonstrated mostly by the influence of la- tent dimensions, denominated coordination of mo- vement in rhythm and explosive strength. The inf- luence of factor of tonus regulation is also evident but it is statistically insignificant. At the age of 15 there is no statistically significant cor- relation between the whole scope of latent motor di- mensions and criteria variables. The predictor system is then at the age of 17 again high statistically signifi- cantly correlated with the criteria variable. The pro- portion of the explained variance is 18.9 % at the age of 17 and 14.6 % at the age of 18. From a thorough examination of its constitution it is evident that at the age of 17 years it is statistically significantly effected only by the projection of the factor denominated agi- lity, and at the age of 18 years by the mobility of hip joint. The influence of agility is also evident but it is not statistically significant. DISCUSSION We have found out that the system of latent motor dimensions is statistically significantly correlated to the criteria variable at the ages of 10, 11, 12, 14, 17, and 18 (at the level of 0.05). Those findings are surprising as the majority of researchers consider that the corre- lation exists primarily at younger generations. There are no relations in the puberty period, and af- ter considerable biological changes the correlation is reinstated. Although the development of fluid intelli- gence reaches its peak at the age of 16, the motor de- velopment does not seem to be accomplished yet, which enables correlation above all in the areas, whe- re the functioning depends on the speed of informa- tion transfer and on a harmonious functioning of ago- nists and antagonists. The correlation of intelligence and the agility with mo- bility at the age of 17 and 18 may be a result of fluid as well as crystallised intelligence. With the experien- ce and with the richness of stored motor programmes the central nervous system becomes more capable for data elaboration. The speed of the impulse flow in- creases as a consequence of experience, of the use of higher number of possible strategies, and the integra- ted operation of various subsystems (Luria, 1983). A small proportion of explained variance at the age of 10, which is contrary to expectations, can be explai- ned with the finding, that while performing the mo- tion exercises, where coordination of the whole body movement and the agility prevail, and where the cor- relation should be the most explicit, other mecha- nisms most probably prevail, above all the mecha- nism for energy regulation. We can see from the analysis of the latent dimensions, that the factors are more complex, that the independent factor of the en- tire body movement and the agility has not been iso- lated, and that the variables of explosive strength and endurance prevail at the projections on the first fac- tor. Statistically significant relations appear mostly with those latent dimensions, which belong to the area of informational components of movement (coordina- tion of movement in rhythm at the age of 10, 11 and 14, balance at the age of 10 and 11, the speed of sim- ple motion at the age of 11 and 12, mobility of hip joint at the age of 16 and 18, and agility at the age of 17 years). At the age of 12 and 13 we noticed the cor- relation between latent dimensions determined by the manifest variables of informational as well as en- ergy type (coordination and energy components and an unnamed factor 2). At the age of 12 the highest projection was shown at the factor which can be clas- sified as energy component of movement (repetitive strength of abdominal muscles). On the basis of the detailed analysis of certain projec- tions of latent motor dimensions (predictors) on fluid intelligence (criteria) we can find out the following: The projections of factors coordination of movement in rhythm at the age of 10, 11 and 14, and agility at the age of 17, on the criteria variable confirm the fin- dings of certain authors about the correlation between intelligence and the performance of the motor abili- ties, characterised by the informational complexity, rhythmic unity and extraordinary movements, and al- so the simultaneous activity of dominant and non do- minant side of the body (Ismail, Kephart and Cowell, 1963; Ismail and Gruber, 1965; Kirkendall, 1968; Is- mail and Kirkendall, 1968; Dotson, 1968; Leithwood, 1971; Ismail, 1976; Ismail, Kane and Kirkendall, 1976; Kloj~nik, 1977; Mejov{ek, 1977; Momirovi} in Horga, 1982; Pavlovi} 1982, 1986; Vauhnik, 1984; Momirovi} and colleagues, 1987; Hotz, 1990, 1991; Strel and @agar, 1993; Planin{ec, 1995). The success of the performance of motor tasks, that should be executed by subjects in certain rhythm and in various directions in the shortest time possible, de- pends on the centres of cortical regulation of move- ment. Probably a simultaneous activation of both mechanisms is necessary, namely the mechanism for the structuring of movement, because the subject has Kova~, M., & Strel, J. (2000). The relation between intelligence and latent motor space. KinSI 6(1–2), 37–46 43 to create individually the most optimal sequence of movements in certain rhythm or perform a prescri- bed exercise in a limited space, and the mechanism for synergy and tonus regulation. The latter is respon- sible for the involvement of antagonists and agonists, since the exercise has to be carried out as fast as pos- sible, and considering also the importance of the ac- curacy of the movement. The performance of the most complex motor exerci- ses and the capacity of solving intelligence tests de- pend on the highest functions, which are decisively af- fected by the same mechanisms. We can assume that also the exercises with complicated motion structure, which are new to the subjects and demand a success- ful resolution in the shortest time possible at the op- timal rhythm, demand a certain level of intellectual potentials (fluid intelligence). When performing tho- se exercises and solving the intellectual problems the most important is the functioning of central nervous system to receive, to control, to harmonise, and to elaborate numerous and various information. The speed of transformational processes, which underline human intellectual and motor functioning, depends on the above mentioned capacities. Among motion complex exercises we should point out also the motor learning, a process of acquisition, improvement, consolidation and the use of motor programmes. The co-ordinational variables represent a new, unknown task, and the success of its perfor- mance depends on the speed of learning. Learning of motor skills represents an intellectual task (Horga, 1993), since it depends on a series of processes of ela- boration of information in the central nervous system. While performing the exercises, the subjects compa- re the information kept in their memory with the ac- tual information, coming from sensor centres, prima- rily the visual impulses and the impulses of muscles, sinews and joint receptors (Adams, 1976, after Hor- ga, 1993). The movement performance can therefo- re be controlled on the basis of feedback information. According to the Schmidt theory of open and closed loop system (Schmidt, 1991) the most important thing to be learned about the motion task is the establish- ment of the scheme in the motor memory: the recall scheme and the recognition scheme enable the inc- lusion of the general motor programmes responsible for the whole range of movement. The recall scheme makes possible to modify according to the environ- ment (it means an open loop – feed -forward), and the recognition scheme makes possible to recognise and estimate motor activities on the basis of their sensor consequences (closed loop- feedback). In the neuronic network we keep the conditions which are necessary to renew the motion pattern. Any previously kept pattern can be recalled by a similar impulse from outside. It is only important that the pat- terns which are more often reconstructed become clearer, and that the pattern can be reproduced from only a part of the motion pattern stored in the me- mory. The level of simultaneous and consecutive compari- son between the information and the quantity of in- formation about different motor tasks, kept in the me- mory, are those elements which can confirm the probability of relations between the agility and intel- ligence of the 17- year-old subjects. We also confirmed the relation between intelligence and balance, which had already been proved by cer- tain authors in their early research works (Guyette and colleagues, 1964; Ismail and Gruber, 1965; Ismail 1976; Ismail, Kane and Kirkendall, 1976). Balance depends on the involvement of the eyesight analyser, the size of the area, in which balance should be, sta- tistics of endeavours with which the desired balance position is kept, or on the overcoming of the force, which tends to disturb the balanced position during motion. Reticular formation plays a key role as an in- tegration step in the management of body posture and balance. Vestibular organ with vestibular cores, being abundantly in relation with little brain, is sensi- tive to the static and dynamic changes of gravity point position (Henatsch and Langer, 1985). The success of movement structures, where the formation and kee- ping of balance position prevail, depends mostly on the mechanism of synergy and tonus regulation, i.e. the mechanism, which has its basis in the cortex, whe- re all the mental activities take place. The eyesight re- ceptors should not be neglected. They transfer the in- formation to the higher positioned centres of the central nervous system. They participate also at the solving of the test sets, since the tests themselves mea- sure wide range visual factor (Poga~nik, 1994). The relation between the factor of speed of simple motion and the indicators of intellectual capabilities is also statistically significant at younger age groups. The relation was discovered by different authors (Sloan, 1951; Willson, Tunstall in Eysenk, 1971; Me- jov{ek, 1977; Jensen, 1980, 1982, 1987; Strel and @agar, 1993; Planin{ec, 1995). Mejov{ek (1977) as- certains in his research that the relation in the tasks of simple motions can be explained by the speed of the information transfer. Probably at younger age catego- ries the simple motion tasks, to execute simple mo- tions as quick as possible, represent the problem chal- lenge, and require the implementation of more complex intellectual capacities. The efficiency of sol- ving the test sets depends also on mental speed (Po- ga~nik, 1994), since the task is limited in time. We can also agree with Hofman (1980), claiming that the speed of movement is only a special part of efficient functioning of the whole system of balancing and mo- nitoring of motor issues. And because of that also the Kova~, M., & Strel, J. (2000). The relation between intelligence and latent motor space. KinSI 6(1–2), 37–46 44 whole system, which is crucial for the regulation and monitoring of motor space, can be equalised with flu- id intelligence in the area of intellectual functioning. Repetitive strength of abdominal muscles and the explosive strength are the only factors of energy com- ponent of movement to have projections on the cri- teria variable. Although the repetitive movement is partly automated we can explain the relation by the importance of the cognitive capacities also at familiar tasks (Ferrari and colleagues, 1991, after Horga, 1993). A simultaneous use of practical and conceptual knowledge, saved in a long-term memory, enables us to better perform the already learned movements. The energy regulation, which appears in brisk motor actions, is decisive to achieve a good result in those kinds of motion, where explosive strength is needed. The most important is the speed or rather the time spent to develop strength. The latter is determined by the coordination of muscles’ group functioning. The faster the harmonisation of those processes is, the more we are successful with the fast muscle actions. Also in the cognitive processes the speed of informa- tion flow and its elaboration (Lehrl and Fischer, 1990, after Poga~nik, 1995; Tu{ak and Tu{ak, 1997) is very important. We can assume that the projection of test exercises of explosive strength of hands and legs on the criteria variable can be explained by the speed of information transfer through the synapses and by the speed of data elaboration. The correlation of mobility and intelligence, proved so far in the research works only by Momirovi} and Hor- ga (1982), can be explained by the complicated ad- justment of muscles tonus. Although the performed movements of all three tests are structurally simple, it is clear that the maintenance and regulation of musc- les’ tonus is extremely important for the success of the carried out exercises. The tonus directly depends on the level of activation of alpha motoneuron and the relation with the cortex through the pyramid and out- of-pyramid path (Pinter, 1996). CONCLUSIONS The principal aim of the research work had been to find out the relations between the latent motor spa- ce and the fluid intelligence of schoolgirls aged from 10 to 18. We have determined a significant statistical correla- tion between the indicators of fluid intelligence and the latent motor dimensions in girls aged from 10 to 12 and at girls aged 14, 17, and 18 years. The proportion of explained variance is the lowest at the age of 10 years and the highest at 11 and 17 years. The results are surprising, since the majority of re- searchers think that in the process of growing up the relation starts to decline gradually. Although the de- velopment of fluid intelligence reaches its peak at the age of 16, the motor development is not completed yet at that age. This situation enables establishing cer- tain relations, above all in cases where the functio- ning is conditioned by the speed of the information transfer and by the synchronised operation of agonists and antagonists, as well as by the involvement of the information kept in the long term memory, and finally by the rational performance of movement. Statistically significant relations appear mostly with those latent dimensions, which belong to the area of informational component (coordination of movement in rhythm at 10, 11, and 14 years of age, balance at 10 and 11, the speed of simple motion at 11 and 12, mobility of hip joint at 16 and 18, and the agility at the age of 17). At the age of 12, 13 and 14 we can ob- serve the relation, which are determined by the va- riables of the informational as well as the energy type (coordination and energy component). 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