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Nine Months of a Structured Multisport Program Improve Physical Fitness in Preschool Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Author

Listed:
  • Boris Popović

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Milan Cvetković

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Draženka Mačak

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Tijana Šćepanović

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Nebojša Čokorilo

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Aleksandra Belić

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Nebojša Trajković

    (Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia)

  • Slobodan Andrašić

    (Faculty of Economics, University of Novi Sad, 24000 Subotica, Serbia)

  • Špela Bogataj

    (Faculty of Sport, University of Ljubljana, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia
    Department of Nephrology, University Medical Centre, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia)

Abstract

Research in preschool children that investigates the impact of different exercise interventions on physical fitness is limited. This pre–post study was aimed at determining if participation in a nine-month structured multisport program (MSG; n = 38) could enhance physical fitness components compared to a formal exercise program (control group (CG); n = 36) among preschool children. Physical fitness was assessed using standardized tests (the standing long jump, sit and reach, 20 m sprint, sit-ups for 30 s, bent-arm hang, medicine ball throw (MBT), grip strength, 4 × 10 m shuttle run, and 20 m shuttle run tests). The structured multisport program involved fundamental/gross and fine motor skills and ball game-based exercises twice a week. The control group was free of any programmed exercise except for the obligatory program in kindergartens. A mixed ANOVA demonstrated significant group-by-time interaction effects for the 4 × 10 m shuttle run, standing long jump, sit-ups, bent-arm hang, grip strength, and sit and reach tests ( p < 0.05). There was no significant group-by-time interaction effect for the 20 m sprint test ( p = 0.794) or for the 20 m shuttle run test ( p = 0.549). Moreover, the MSG and CG performance in the MBT and 20 m shuttle run tests improved to a similar extent from pre- to post-test. Our results indicate that compared to the formal plan, the structured multisport program led to a sustained improvement in physical fitness in healthy 5-to-6-year old children.

Suggested Citation

  • Boris Popović & Milan Cvetković & Draženka Mačak & Tijana Šćepanović & Nebojša Čokorilo & Aleksandra Belić & Nebojša Trajković & Slobodan Andrašić & Špela Bogataj, 2020. "Nine Months of a Structured Multisport Program Improve Physical Fitness in Preschool Children: A Quasi-Experimental Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(14), pages 1-10, July.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:14:p:4935-:d:382066
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Gary S. Goldfield & Alysha Harvey & Kimberly Grattan & Kristi B. Adamo, 2012. "Physical Activity Promotion in the Preschool Years: A Critical Period to Intervene," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 9(4), pages 1-17, April.
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    1. Damjan Jaksic & Sandra Mandic & Nebojsa Maksimovic & Zoran Milosevic & Roberto Roklicer & Jovan Vukovic & Suncica Pocek & Nemanja Lakicevic & Antonino Bianco & Samuel Cassar & Patrik Drid, 2020. "Effects of a Nine-Month Physical Activity Intervention on Morphological Characteristics and Motor and Cognitive Skills of Preschool Children," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(18), pages 1-11, September.
    2. Guangxu Wang & Dan Zeng & Shikun Zhang & Yingying Hao & Danqing Zhang & Yang Liu, 2023. "The Effect of Different Physical Exercise Programs on Physical Fitness among Preschool Children: A Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(5), pages 1-11, February.
    3. Ilir Gllareva & Nebojša Trajković & Draženka Mačak & Tijana Šćepanović & Anja Kostić Zobenica & Aleksandar Pajić & Besim Halilaj & Florim Gallopeni & Dejan M. Madić, 2020. "Anthropometric and Motor Competence Classifiers of Swimming Ability in Preschool Children—A Pilot Study," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 17(17), pages 1-14, August.
    4. Alice Haav & Leila Oja & Jaanika Piksööt, 2024. "The Influence of Kindergarten Environment on the Development of Preschool Children’s Physical Fitness," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 21(6), pages 1-12, June.
    5. Jonas Vestergaard Nielsen & Thomas Skovgaard & Trine Top Klein-Wengel & Jens Troelsen, 2022. "In It for the Long Haul: RE-AIM Evaluation of a Preschool Programme Implementing and Maintaining Adult-Initiated Motor Skill Development and Physical Activity across a Two-Year Period," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(5), pages 1-14, February.

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