The main aim of the study is to establish whether there are any differences in growth and
development of functional abilities between boys and girls. For the evaluation of functional
abilities, growth and development in students the following parameters have been used: height,
body mass, body mass index, vital lung capacity, resting heart rate, active heart rate and
modified Harvard step test index. The results of multivariate analysis (MANOVA) have shown
that there is no statistically significant difference between male and female students. A
statistically significant difference has been found by means of univariate analysis of variance
(ANOVA) in active hearth rate variables (F=8.36; p=.004) and modified Harvard step test index
(F=6.67; p=.011) in favor of male students. Comparing the results obtained in the earlier and
recent studies it can be concluded that the current physical exercise program does not produce
desired results, furthermore it does not contribute nor does it improve functional abilities of
male and female younger elementary school students.
