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

Dragana Zarić,Goran Sporiš,Zoran Gojković,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 sitand- 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.

Highlights

The main health-related fitness components in youth are cardiorespiratory fitness, musculoskeletal fitness and motor fitness (Ortega, Ruiz, Castillo, & Sjöström, 2008)
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)
It means that children involved in developmental gymnastics have lower values of body mass circumferences and amount of subcutaneous adipose tissue compared with children of the same age not involved in organized physical activity

Summary

Introduction

The main health-related fitness components in youth are cardiorespiratory fitness, musculoskeletal fitness and motor fitness (Ortega, Ruiz, Castillo, & Sjöström, 2008). Having in mind that physical fitness is important for the current and future health in youth, (Ruiz et al, 2009) reliable and valid measures of fitness are crucial for longitudinal studies. Muscular strength and flexibility, are fitness components that are largely responsible for a children's good postural status. One study found that reduced hamstring flexibility is a risk factor for the hamstring muscle injuries (Witvrouw et al, 2001). It is of vital importance to measure and improve health-related fitness in children. The development of fitness in children is influenced by individual differences during maturation. In a sample of children of the same age, some children are higher and heavier, and have greater power and greater VO2max than those who are late in maturing (Malina & Katzmarzyk, 2006)

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