The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness ... more The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness in preschool children. A total of 72 children (36 boys) and 92 children (47 boys) composed the experimental (EG) and control group (CG), respectively. We used the PREFIT battery access physical fitness. In EG, participants had 45 minutes of organized physical activity 5 days per week. The CG continued their usual routine with 30 minutes of structured physical activity two times per week. The EG improved the mean performance of grip strength (η p2=0.08) and sit-ups in the 30s ( p2=0.16) to a significantly greater extent as compared to the CG. In boys, the improvements of mean performance of handgrip strength (η p2=0.13), 4x10m shuttle run η p2=0.09), standing long jump (η p2=0.05), sit-ups in 30s (η p2=0.17) were significantly greater in EG than in the CG. However, girls in EG only had significant improvements in the sit-ups in the 30 s test compared to CG (η p2=0.14). Overall, our study shows that after 6 months of daily exercise programme, preschool children improved muscular strength compared to those peers allocated in the control group. No significant differences between groups were found in the remaining fitness components analysed.
STUDY DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. INTRODUCTION Muscular strength has been known as a ... more STUDY DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. INTRODUCTION Muscular strength has been known as a powerful marker of health in children. Normative data are important for health screening and prevention of future diseases; however, up-to-date data are lacking. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study was development of normative data for grip strength measured with a bulb dynamometer in children, by gender and age. METHODS The study sample consisted of 1602 healthy Serbian boys and girls, aged from 4 to 10 years. Grip strength was measured by a baseline pneumatic squeeze bulb dynamometer (Baseline, USA) in five preschools and three elementary schools across the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. RESULTS Age- and gender-specific normative data for muscular strength are provided. Boys showed significantly higher strength than girls both in the dominant (mean difference: 0.25 Psi, p = .028) and nondominant hand (mean difference: 0.26 Psi, p = .008). Grip strength of both hands increased with age in girls and boys. However, no significant differences were found in boys between ages 4 and 5 years and between 8 and 9 years for both dominant and nondominant hand (p > .05). The dominant hand showed better performance than the nondominant hand (mean difference: 0.42 Psi, p = .001). CONCLUSION Our findings provide comparison data for muscular strength and fitness level, considering age and gender in children.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
Research in preschool children that investigates the impact of different exercise interventions o... more 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...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
Swimming is a form of physical activity and a life-saving skill. However, only a few studies have... more Swimming is a form of physical activity and a life-saving skill. However, only a few studies have identified swimming ability classifiers in preschool children. This pilot cross-sectional study aimed to find anthropometric (AM) and motor competence (MC) predictors of swimming ability in preschool children, by building classifiers of swimming ability group (SAG) membership. We recruited 92 children (girls n = 45) aged 5–6 years and took the AM and MC measurements in accordance with the reference manual and using the KTK battery test (motor quotient, MQ), respectively. A linear discriminant analysis tested a classification model of preschoolers’ swimming ability (SAG: POOR, GOOD, EXCELLENT) based on gender, age, AM, and MC variables and extracted one significant canonical discriminant function (model fit: 61.2%) that can differentiate (group centroids) POOR (−1.507), GOOD (0.032), and EXCELLENT (1.524). The MQ total was identified as a significant classifier, which absolutely contribu...
Study in the period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and the effect of different e... more Study in the period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and the effect of different exercise training programs on the quality of life (QoL) dimension are limited. This randomized control study as a part of which the impact of an 8-week neuromuscular training program on the 90 healthy young individuals’ QoL after COVID-19 lockdown was assessed using a short form of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire comprising of four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relations, and the environment). The intervention group (NT) (n = 47) took part in a neuromuscular training program consisting of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization and whole-body vibration training. In contrast, the control group (CG) (n = 43) did not participate in any programmed physical activity. From pre- to post-intervention test, the NT group significantly and substantially improved [mean change (95% CI)] all the QoL domains, physical for 12.78 scores (8.89, 16.64), psychological for 13.12 scores (9.5...
The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness ... more The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness in preschool children. A total of 72 children (36 boys) and 92 children (47 boys) composed the experimental (EG) and control group (CG), respectively. We used the PREFIT battery access physical fitness. In EG, participants had 45 minutes of organized physical activity 5 days per week. The CG continued their usual routine with 30 minutes of structured physical activity two times per week. The EG improved the mean performance of grip strength (η 2 p =0.08) and sit-ups in the 30s (2 p =0.16) to a significantly greater extent as compared to the CG. In boys, the improvements of mean performance of handgrip strength (η 2 p =0.13), 4x10m shuttle run η 2 p =0.09), standing long jump (η 2 p =0.05), sit-ups in 30s (η 2 p =0.17) were significantly greater in EG than in the CG. However, girls in EG only had significant improvements in the sit-ups in the 30 s test compared to CG (η 2 p =0.14). Overal...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The early detection and continuous monitoring of children’s motor competence levels and physical ... more 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...
Swimming is a form of physical activity and a life-saving skill. However, only a few studies have... more Swimming is a form of physical activity and a life-saving skill. However, only a few studies have identified swimming ability classifiers in preschool children. This pilot cross-sectional study aimed to find anthropometric (AM) and motor competence (MC) predictors of swimming ability in preschool children, by building classifiers of swimming ability group (SAG) membership. We recruited 92 children (girls n = 45) aged 5-6 years and took the AM and MC measurements in accordance with the reference manual and using the KTK battery test (motor quotient, MQ), respectively. A linear discriminant analysis tested a classification model of preschoolers' swimming ability (SAG: POOR, GOOD, EXCELLENT) based on gender, age, AM, and MC variables and extracted one significant canonical discriminant function (model fit: 61.2%) that can differentiate (group centroids) POOR (−1.507), GOOD (0.032), and EXCELLENT (1.524). The MQ total was identified as a significant classifier, which absolutely cont...
Kako su u sportu nezaobilazne povrede koje su varijabilne u odnosu na vrstu i obim, neophodan je ... more Kako su u sportu nezaobilazne povrede koje su varijabilne u odnosu na vrstu i obim, neophodan je pokusaj klasifikacije prema dosadasnjim istrazivanjima.
The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness ... more The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness in preschool children. A total of 72 children (36 boys) and 92 children (47 boys) composed the experimental (EG) and control group (CG), respectively. We used the PREFIT battery access physical fitness. In EG, participants had 45 minutes of organized physical activity 5 days per week. The CG continued their usual routine with 30 minutes of structured physical activity two times per week. The EG improved the mean performance of grip strength (η p2=0.08) and sit-ups in the 30s ( p2=0.16) to a significantly greater extent as compared to the CG. In boys, the improvements of mean performance of handgrip strength (η p2=0.13), 4x10m shuttle run η p2=0.09), standing long jump (η p2=0.05), sit-ups in 30s (η p2=0.17) were significantly greater in EG than in the CG. However, girls in EG only had significant improvements in the sit-ups in the 30 s test compared to CG (η p2=0.14). Overall, our study shows that after 6 months of daily exercise programme, preschool children improved muscular strength compared to those peers allocated in the control group. No significant differences between groups were found in the remaining fitness components analysed.
STUDY DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. INTRODUCTION Muscular strength has been known as a ... more STUDY DESIGN This is a cross-sectional study. INTRODUCTION Muscular strength has been known as a powerful marker of health in children. Normative data are important for health screening and prevention of future diseases; however, up-to-date data are lacking. PURPOSE OF THE STUDY The purpose of this study was development of normative data for grip strength measured with a bulb dynamometer in children, by gender and age. METHODS The study sample consisted of 1602 healthy Serbian boys and girls, aged from 4 to 10 years. Grip strength was measured by a baseline pneumatic squeeze bulb dynamometer (Baseline, USA) in five preschools and three elementary schools across the Autonomous Province of Vojvodina, Serbia. RESULTS Age- and gender-specific normative data for muscular strength are provided. Boys showed significantly higher strength than girls both in the dominant (mean difference: 0.25 Psi, p = .028) and nondominant hand (mean difference: 0.26 Psi, p = .008). Grip strength of both hands increased with age in girls and boys. However, no significant differences were found in boys between ages 4 and 5 years and between 8 and 9 years for both dominant and nondominant hand (p > .05). The dominant hand showed better performance than the nondominant hand (mean difference: 0.42 Psi, p = .001). CONCLUSION Our findings provide comparison data for muscular strength and fitness level, considering age and gender in children.
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
Research in preschool children that investigates the impact of different exercise interventions o... more 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...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 2020
Swimming is a form of physical activity and a life-saving skill. However, only a few studies have... more Swimming is a form of physical activity and a life-saving skill. However, only a few studies have identified swimming ability classifiers in preschool children. This pilot cross-sectional study aimed to find anthropometric (AM) and motor competence (MC) predictors of swimming ability in preschool children, by building classifiers of swimming ability group (SAG) membership. We recruited 92 children (girls n = 45) aged 5–6 years and took the AM and MC measurements in accordance with the reference manual and using the KTK battery test (motor quotient, MQ), respectively. A linear discriminant analysis tested a classification model of preschoolers’ swimming ability (SAG: POOR, GOOD, EXCELLENT) based on gender, age, AM, and MC variables and extracted one significant canonical discriminant function (model fit: 61.2%) that can differentiate (group centroids) POOR (−1.507), GOOD (0.032), and EXCELLENT (1.524). The MQ total was identified as a significant classifier, which absolutely contribu...
Study in the period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and the effect of different e... more Study in the period of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown and the effect of different exercise training programs on the quality of life (QoL) dimension are limited. This randomized control study as a part of which the impact of an 8-week neuromuscular training program on the 90 healthy young individuals’ QoL after COVID-19 lockdown was assessed using a short form of the WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire comprising of four domains (physical health, psychological health, social relations, and the environment). The intervention group (NT) (n = 47) took part in a neuromuscular training program consisting of dynamic neuromuscular stabilization and whole-body vibration training. In contrast, the control group (CG) (n = 43) did not participate in any programmed physical activity. From pre- to post-intervention test, the NT group significantly and substantially improved [mean change (95% CI)] all the QoL domains, physical for 12.78 scores (8.89, 16.64), psychological for 13.12 scores (9.5...
The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness ... more The study aimed to determine the effects of 6 months daily physical activity on physical fitness in preschool children. A total of 72 children (36 boys) and 92 children (47 boys) composed the experimental (EG) and control group (CG), respectively. We used the PREFIT battery access physical fitness. In EG, participants had 45 minutes of organized physical activity 5 days per week. The CG continued their usual routine with 30 minutes of structured physical activity two times per week. The EG improved the mean performance of grip strength (η 2 p =0.08) and sit-ups in the 30s (2 p =0.16) to a significantly greater extent as compared to the CG. In boys, the improvements of mean performance of handgrip strength (η 2 p =0.13), 4x10m shuttle run η 2 p =0.09), standing long jump (η 2 p =0.05), sit-ups in 30s (η 2 p =0.17) were significantly greater in EG than in the CG. However, girls in EG only had significant improvements in the sit-ups in the 30 s test compared to CG (η 2 p =0.14). Overal...
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health
The early detection and continuous monitoring of children’s motor competence levels and physical ... more 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...
Swimming is a form of physical activity and a life-saving skill. However, only a few studies have... more Swimming is a form of physical activity and a life-saving skill. However, only a few studies have identified swimming ability classifiers in preschool children. This pilot cross-sectional study aimed to find anthropometric (AM) and motor competence (MC) predictors of swimming ability in preschool children, by building classifiers of swimming ability group (SAG) membership. We recruited 92 children (girls n = 45) aged 5-6 years and took the AM and MC measurements in accordance with the reference manual and using the KTK battery test (motor quotient, MQ), respectively. A linear discriminant analysis tested a classification model of preschoolers' swimming ability (SAG: POOR, GOOD, EXCELLENT) based on gender, age, AM, and MC variables and extracted one significant canonical discriminant function (model fit: 61.2%) that can differentiate (group centroids) POOR (−1.507), GOOD (0.032), and EXCELLENT (1.524). The MQ total was identified as a significant classifier, which absolutely cont...
Kako su u sportu nezaobilazne povrede koje su varijabilne u odnosu na vrstu i obim, neophodan je ... more Kako su u sportu nezaobilazne povrede koje su varijabilne u odnosu na vrstu i obim, neophodan je pokusaj klasifikacije prema dosadasnjim istrazivanjima.
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