Enhancing Motor Fitness in Children Through Corrective Gymnastics in Physical Education

Corrective gymnastics (CG) is widely recognized for its effectiveness in preventing and treating postural deficiencies; however, its impact on motor fitness in school-aged children is less studied. This research evaluated the effects of a school-based CG program on strength, agility, coordination, speed of movement, and flexibility in 10-year-old children.

A total of 255 students (age: 9.67 ± 0.46 years; 195 girls) from three elementary schools were assigned to an experimental group (EXP, N = 94) or a control group (CON, N = 161). The EXP group followed a 4-month CG program during regular physical education (PE) classes, targeting five common postural disorders. The CON group followed the standard PE curriculum. Motor fitness was assessed pre- and post-intervention using standardized tests.

Both groups improved significantly in all motor domains (p < 0.01), but the EXP group showed significantly greater gains in plate tapping, long jump, sit-ups, and shuttle run performance (F = 7.718-30.983, p < 0.01).

These findings highlight the added value of CG in enhancing motor fitness during a critical developmental period. Integrating CG into regular PE could promote equitable access to both preventive care and functional physical development across school populations.

CG represents a valuable addition to PE, supporting motor development and postural health in children.