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Effects of Structured Physical Activity on Motor Fitness in Preschool Children
Filip Kojić1,2, Radenko Arsenijević3, Gabrijela Grujić1,4
1Faculty of Education, University of Belgrade, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia.
Insights
Structured movement activities (SMA) significantly improved children's motor fitness, including agility and speed, compared to free play. SMA enhanced coordination and speed more effectively than free play for 6-year-olds.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Exercise Science
- Motor Development
- Childhood Physical Activity
Background:
- Motor fitness (MF) is crucial for children's physical health and development.
- Structured movement activities (SMA) may offer targeted benefits over free play (FRP).
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the impact of a structured movement activities (SMA) program versus free play activity (FRP) on motor fitness in 6-year-old children.
- To assess improvements in strength, speed, agility, coordination, and balance.
Main Methods:
- 53 children (6-year-olds) were randomized into SMA or FRP groups.
- Both programs involved 3 sessions/week over 6 months.
- Motor fitness was assessed pre- and post-intervention using standardized tests (e.g., flamingo balance, standing long jump, obstacle course).
Main Results:
- The SMA group showed significant improvements in obstacle course (backwards), plate tapping, standing long jump, and shuttle run tasks.
- The FRP group only showed significant improvement in the obstacle course (backwards).
- ANCOVA indicated significant group-by-time interactions favoring SMA for coordination, speed, and agility.
Conclusions:
- Structured movement activities (SMA) are more effective than free play (FRP) for enhancing motor coordination, agility, and speed in young children.
- Targeted movement programs can yield superior developmental outcomes compared to unstructured play.
Abstract:
The aim was to investigate the impact of a specific structured movement activities (SMA) program compared to free play activity (FRP) on the strength, speed, agility, coordination, and balance of motor fitness (MF) in 6-year-old boys and girls. A total of 53 children (24 boys, 29 girls) were randomly allocated to either the SMA group or the FRP group. Both group activities were administered three times a week over a 6-month period. MF variables were assessed before (pre-) and after (post-) using tests: the flamingo balance (FLA), the standing long jump (SLJ), plate tapping (PTT), the obstacle course backwards (OCB), and the shuttle run 4 × 5 m (SRT). At the post-test, the SMA program resulted in significant (p < 0.05) improvements in OCB, PTT, SLJ, and SRT tasks. For FRP, a noteworthy improvement was observed only in OCB (ES = 0.45, p < 0.05). An ANCOVA revealed a significant group × time interaction (F = 21.71-52.41, η2 = 0.258-0.512, p < 0.01) for OCB, PTT, and SRT, favoring SMA over FRP. The present findings suggest that SMA may be more effective than FRP when aiming to develop motor coordination, agility, and speed of movement in children.
