engleski

Multilateral and tennis are superior to soccer preschool program

The aim of this study was to determine the differences in motor skills in preschool children enrolled in different multilateral and specific exercise programs (multilateral, tennis - ITF play&stay, soccer) and children that are not enrolled into organized exercising. Level of basic motor skills is very important and underrated causal mechanism partly responsible for health risk behaviors and physical inactivity (Stodden et al., 2008). The study was conducted on a sample of preschool children (N = 81) with prior informed parental consent (average age of 5.53 ± 1.14 years ; enrolled in programs for 20 months). To assess the children’s locomotor and object control skills "Test of Gross Motor Development-Second Edition - TGMD-2" was used. Results showed significant differences in motor skills between four group of children (F=20.16 ; p<0.01). Multilateral exercise program and tennis program (probably due to whole-body activities) provide the versatility and harmonious locomotor, manipulative and motor skills of preschool children. Also, it can be concluded that the specific sports programs like soccer do not have a positive effect on the overall development of motor skills of the child. The weakness of such programs is specific orientation and early specialization (Malina, 2010 ; Bompa, 2009). Furthermore, children that do not exercise did not adopt adequate level of motor skills – results were below average (Ulrich, 2000). Multilateral exercise program and tennis play&stay program can be recommended as the best form of exercise for preschool children and show certain advantages over the more specific soccer programs.

motor development, child, sport, physical activity, movement skills

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