Evaluation of Gross Motor Coordination and Physical Fitness in Children: Comparison between Soccer and Multisport Activities

Abstract

The early detection and continuous monitoring of children’s motor competence levels and physical fitness is very important. The purpose of this study was to determine the differences in motor coordination of children enrolled in soccer and multisport activities. The participants of this study included 147 boys and girls (mean age 7.60 ± 0.85 years). The total sample of subjects was composed of two subgroups: children who were enrolled in organized exercise programs—multisports (n = 77), and children who were engaged in soccer training (n = 70). Motor coordination was evaluated with the Kiphard–Schilling body coordination test (KTK). Physical fitness was assessed with a 20 m shuttle run test, 4 × 10 m shuttle run test, standing long jump, and handgrip strength. The ANCOVA showed significant differences (p < 0.05) with large effect size between groups for tests hopping for height (d = 0.93), total motor quotient (d = 1.31), jumping sideways (d = 1.32), and moving sideways (d = 1.59), after adjusting for age and gender. There were no significant differences between groups in the physical fitness tests. It can be concluded that children enrolled in multisport activities have higher levels of motor coordination than children who are enrolled only in soccer. Therefore, multiple sport training programs should be considered and encouraged by parents, educators, and other training professionals.

Effects of Equine-Assistant Activity on Gross Motor Coordination in Children Aged 8 to 10 Years

“…Regarding the raw scores of HH, in our sample, the differences between the two groups showed significant differences. Our findings were consistent with those of Boris Popovi´[ 31 ], Valéria Sovat de Freitas Costa et al [ 41 ], and Söğüt [ 11 ]. The reasons for the differences showed relative to the two HH groups are as follows.…”

“…In other studies, EAA intervention training has shown good results in improving flexibility as an adjunct to balance [ 19 , 39 , 45 ]. Similarly, in Boris's study [ 31 ], exercise had a role in increasing flexibility in children. So, the EAA interventions can increase flexibility in children trained.…”

“…All children were examined before the trial and after the 14-week EAA intervention training. The measurement included anthropometric characteristics, KTK test [ 10 , 11 , 23 , 30 , 31 ], and physical fitness test [ 32 , 33 ].…”

Anthropometric and Motor Competence Classifiers of Swimming Ability in Preschool Children—A Pilot Study

“…In agreement with those mentioned above, the practice of various sports activities resulted in a greater increase of physical fitness compared to single-sport activity in preschool and school-age children [51,52]. Also, preschool children who practiced single-sport activity developed MC more than inactive peers [9].…”

Meningkatkan Konsentrasi Atlet Sepak Bola melalui Metode Latihan Life Kinetik

“…Koordinasi gerak sendiri merupakan kemampuan tubuh untuk mengintegrasikan berbagai gerakan yang berbeda menjadi tunggal menjadi harmonis dan efektif (Nala, 2011). Komponen koordinasi gerak ini juga merupakan gabungan berbagai komponen biomotorik lainnya, seperti kekuatan, kelentukan, kecepatan dan kelincahan yang seharusnya dikembangkan berdasarkan kematangan usia seseorang (Popović et al, 2020). Hal ini menunjukkan bahwa penting bagi atlet sepak bola untuk memiliki kapabilitas teknik, fisik dan koordinasi gerak yang baik agar dapat menampilkan performa maksimal.…”