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

Boris Popović, Marko Gušić, Danilo Radanović, Slobodan Andrašić, Dejan M. Madić, Draženka Mačak, Dušan Stupar, Goran Đukić, Dragan Grujičić and Nebojša Trajković
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Boris Popović: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Marko Gušić: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Danilo Radanović: 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
Dejan M. Madić: 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
Dušan Stupar: Faculty of Sport and Tourism, Educons University, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Goran Đukić: Faculty of Sport and Tourism, Educons University, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Dragan Grujičić: Faculty of Sport and Tourism, Educons University, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia
Nebojša Trajković: Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Novi Sad, 21000 Novi Sad, Serbia

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 16, 1-10

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.

Keywords: motor competence; motor abilities; youth; team sport; multisport (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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