Health-related fitness in preschool children: Difference between organized and unorganized physical activity

Dragana Zarić • Zoran Gojković • Goran Sporiš • Dejan Madić

DOI: 10.31382/eqol.180603


Abstract

The aim of this research was to determine the differences in health-related fitness between preschool children involved in organized and unorganized physical activities. This study was performed on a sample of 220 healthy preschool children that were divided into two groups, organized physical activity group (N=99) and unorganized physical activity group (N=121). Beside the set of anthropometric variables children were tested for Standing broad jump, Classic sit-and-reach test, Bent arm hang, Sit-ups in 30 seconds and Handgrip strength test. The t-test applied to determine differences between anthropometric characteristic revealed differences for almost all variables (p≤0.05). Moreover, the organized physical activity group showed better results in all fitness variables compared to unorganized group (p≤0.01). It can be concluded that the developmental gymnastics program has influence on improvement of health-related fitness in preschool children.

Keywords: motor abilities, children, differences, assessment




References

Ali, A., Pigou, D., Clarke, L., & McLachlan, C. (2016). Literature Review on Motor Skill and Physical Activity in Preschool Children in New Zealand. Advances in Physical Education, 7(1), 10.

Bala, G., Krneta, Ž., & Katić, R. (2011). Effects of kindergarten period on school readiness and motor abilities. Collegium Antropologicum, 34(1), 61-67.

Bélanger, M., Gray-Donald, K., O’Loughlin, J., Paradis, G., Hutcheon, J., Maximova, K., & Hanley, J. (2009). Participation in organised sports does not slow declines in physical activity during adolescence. International Journal of Behavioral Nutrition and Physical Activity, 6(1), 22.

Blagojević, M., Obradović, B., Radović, Z., Đukić, I., Dimitrić, G., & Jakšić, M. (2017). Improving motor fitness in primary school children through a school-based intervention. Exercise and Quality of Life journal, 9(2), 25-30.

Bungum, T. J., & Vincent, M. L. (1997). Determinants of physical activity among female adolescents. American journal of preventive medicine, 13(2), 115-122.

Butcher, J. (1983). Socialization of adolescent girls into physical activity. Adolescence18(72), 753.

Felfe, C., Lechner, M., & Steinmayr, A. (2016). Sports and child development. PloS one11(5), e0151729.

Jakšić, D. (2016). Effects of the Application of Kinesiology Treatment on Motoric, Morphological and Intellectual Dimension in Preschool Children [Dissertation]. University of Novi Sad: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education.

Krneta, Z., Drid, P., Jaksic, D., Bala, G., Stojanovic, M., & Ostojic, S. (2014). Effects of kinesiological activity on preschool children’s motor abilities. Science & Sports, 29, S48.

Mahoney J. L., & Cairns R. B. (2000). Extracurricular activities. In Craig W. (Ed.), Childhood social development: The essential readings (pp. 167–196). Oxford, U.K.: Blackwell Publishers, Inc.

Mahoney J. L., Larson R., Eccles J. S., & Lord H. (2005). Organized activities as developmental contexts for children and adolescents. In Mahoney J. L., Larson R. W., & Eccles J. S. (Eds.), Organized activities as contexts of development: Extracurricular activities, after-school and community programs (pp. 3–22). Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum & Associates

Malina, R. M., & Katzmarzyk, P. T. (2006). Physical activity and fitness in an international growth standard for preadolescent and adolescent children. Food and Nutrition Bulletin, 27(4_suppl5), S295-S313.

Obradović, B., Madić, D., Milošević, Z., Maksimović, N., Mikalački, M., & Kovačev-Zavišić, B. (2009). Body composition and bone mineral density of prepubertal boys involved in different kinesiologic treatments. Medicinski pregled, 62(1-2), 23-26.

Ortega, F. B., Ruiz, J. R., Castillo, M. J., & Sjöström, M. (2008). Physical fitness in childhood and adolescence: a powerful marker of health. International journal of obesity, 32(1), 1-11.

Roth, K., Mauer, S., Obinger, M., Ruf, K. C., Graf, C., Kriemler, S., … & Hebestreit, H. (2010). Prevention through Activity in Kindergarten Trial (PAKT): a cluster randomised controlled trial to assess the effects of an activity intervention in preschool children. BMC public health, 10(1), 410.

Ruiz, J. R., Castro-Piñero, J., Artero, E. G., Ortega, F. B., Sjöström, M., Suni, J., & Castillo, M. J. (2009). Predictive validity of health-related fitness in youth: a systematic review. British journal of sports medicine, 43(12), 909.

Strong, W. B., Malina, R. M., Blimkie, C. J., Daniels, S. R., Dishman, R. K., Gutin, B., … & Rowland, T. (2005). Evidence based physical activity for school-age youth. The Journal of pediatrics, 146(6), 732-737.

Timmons, B. W., Proudfoot, N. A., MacDonald, M. J., Bray, S. R., & Cairney, J. (2012). The health outcomes and physical activity in preschoolers (HOPP) study: rationale and design. BMC Public Health12(1), 284.

Tudor-Locke, C., Craig, C.L., Beets, M.W., et al. (2011). How many steps/day are enough? for children and adolescents. International Journal of Behavior Nutrition and Physical Activity, 8:78.

Valentine, I., Madić, D., & Sporiš, G. (2017). Effects of invasion games on physical fitness in primary school children. Exercise and Quality of Life journal, 9(1), 15-22.

Williams, H. G., Pfeiffer, K. A., O’neill, J. R., Dowda, M., McIver, K. L., Brown, W. H., & Pate, R. R. (2008). Motor skill performance and physical activity in preschool children. Obesity, 16(6), 1421-1426.

Witvrouw, E., Bellemans, J., Lysens, R., Danneels, L., & Cambier, D. (2001). Intrinsic risk factors for the development of patellar tendinitis in an athletic population. The American journal of sports medicine, 29(2), 190-195.