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Effects of a Nine-Month Physical Activity Intervention on Morphological Characteristics and Motor and Cognitive Skills of Preschool Children

Author

Listed:
  • Damjan Jaksic

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

  • Sandra Mandic

    (Active Living Laboratory, School for Physical Education, Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Otago, Dunedin 9016, New Zealand)

  • Nebojsa Maksimovic

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

  • Zoran Milosevic

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

  • Roberto Roklicer

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

  • Jovan Vukovic

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

  • Suncica Pocek

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

  • Nemanja Lakicevic

    (PhD Program in Health Promotion and Cognitive Sciences, University of Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Antonino Bianco

    (Sport and Exercise Science Research Unit, University of Palermo, 90100 Palermo, Italy)

  • Samuel Cassar

    (Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition (IPAN), School of Exercise and Nutrition Sciences, Deakin University, Geelong 3216, Australia)

  • Patrik Drid

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

Abstract

(1) Background: Regular physical activity (PA) plays an important role during early childhood physical and psychological development. This study investigates the effects of a 9-month PA intervention on physiological characteristics and motor and cognitive skills in preschool children. (2) Methods: Preschool children ( n = 132; age 4 to 7 years) attending regular preschool programs were nonrandomly assigned to PA intervention ( n = 66; 60 min sessions twice per week) or a control group ( n = 66; no additional organized PA program) for 9 months. Exercise training for the intervention group included various sports games, outdoor activities, martial arts, yoga, and dance. Anthropometry, motor skills (7 tests), and cognitive skills (Raven’s Colored Progressive Matrices and Cognitive Assessment System) were assessed before and after an intervention period in both groups. Data were analyzed using repeated-measures ANOVA. (3) Results: Body weight significantly increased in both groups over time. Compared to the changes observed in the control group, the intervention group significantly increased in chest circumference ( p = 0.022). In contrast, the control group demonstrated an increase in waist circumference ( p = 0.001), while these measures in the intervention group remained stable. Participants in the intervention group improved running speed ( p = 0.016) and standing broad jump ( p = 0.000). The flexibility level was maintained in the intervention group, while a significant decrease was observed in the control group ( p = 0.010). Children from the intervention group demonstrated progress in the bent-arm hang test ( p = 0.001), unlike the control group subjects. Varied improvements in cognitive skills were observed for different variables in both intervention and control groups, with no robust evidence for PA-intervention-related improvements. (4) Conclusions: Preschool children’s participation in a preschool PA intervention improves their motor skills.

Suggested Citation

  • 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.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:18:p:6609-:d:411969
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. 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.
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    Cited by:

    1. Adriana Nielsen-Rodríguez & Ramón Romance & Juan Carlos Dobado-Castañeda, 2021. "Teaching Methodologies and School Organization in Early Childhood Education and Its Association with Physical Activity," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 18(7), pages 1-25, April.

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