The Influence of Innovative Forms of Education on the Physical Development of Schoolchildren

Abstract

Background: The school system is forced to change with the development of scientific and technological progress, and advances in the information society and education. However, not all changes in the school system have produced positive results. Innovations in education have actually led to a decrease in the level of health and physical development of children. The problem of health and physical development of children is currently relevant, especially in the transition from mass unified education to differentiated education. The purpose of our research was to study the indicators of physical development of primary school students enrolled in schools of different types. Methods and Results: The younger students enrolled in the first and third grades of traditional primary school and innovative school were under supervision. Children were formed into age groups according to their full calendar age. The study involved primary school students (n=499) aged between 7 and 9 after studying the risk factors in ontogenesis. One hundred fifty-two children were trained in a traditional school: 78 children aged 7-8 years and 74 children aged 8-9 years. Three hundred forty-seven children were trained in the innovative school: 116 children aged 7-8 years and 231 children aged 8-9 years. The physical development of the school children was determined by weight, height, and chest circumference. Performance was evaluated through percentile-type tables. The research allowed us to conclude that the increased workload in the innovative school leads to a decrease in the growth of body length and weight and a lag in the growth rate of anthropometric indicators, compared with children enrolled in the programs of traditional schools. Innovations in education require further study of health and the health of children, development of hygienic standards, methodological approaches to pediatric care, and physical education of preschool children.