TExES Physical Education EC-12 Practice Exam

Which of the following represents the change in coordination seen in adolescents' physical development?

1. Improvement in balance and agility

2. Increased muscle mass

3. Decreased reaction time

4. Increased flexibility

The correct answer is: Improvement in balance and agility

The answer highlights the notable changes in coordination that occur during adolescence. As adolescents grow, they experience significant physical developments that enhance their motor skills. This period is characterized by improvements in balance and agility due to the combination of growth spurts, neuromuscular development, and increased practice of coordinated movements in various activities. During this time, adolescents refine their ability to control their bodies in space, which enhances their performance in sports and physical activities. This improvement in coordination is crucial as it lays the foundation for athletic performance and engages them in more complex physical tasks. While increased muscle mass, decreased reaction time, and increased flexibility may also be changes occurring during adolescence, they do not specifically encapsulate the improvements in coordination that are most evident during this developmental stage. Increased muscle mass is more about strength than coordination, decreased reaction time is generally not observed during adolescence as reaction times can improve, and increased flexibility, while beneficial, does not directly relate to the overarching concept of coordination.