The Impact of the Additional Programme of Kinesiological Activities on the Morphological Status of Preschool Children

Abstract

The aim of the conducted research was to determine scientifically, by applying experimental methods, whether an additional program of physical exercises, carried out under regular working conditions at preschool institutions, can result in significant changes in the morphological characteristics of preschool children, mean age 6.21 ± 0.56 years. A total of 64 preschool children, girls (n=28) and boys (n=36) attending preparatory preschool lessons in the preschool institution “Čukarica” in Belgrade were included in the research. The researchers used a pre-experimental draft survey, namely the draft involving one pretest-posttest group. The sample of the morphological measuring instruments was designed by applying a reduced theoretical model (Viskić, 1972; Kurelić et al., 1975). The experimental factor was realised over a period of 24 weeks, in 48 sessions, each lasting 35 minutes. The research results indicate that, in the final measurement, the differences between the sexes went in favour of boys in terms of the lower average values of the volume and body mass, subcutaneous adipose tissue on the back and body mass index. It was also determined that the additional kinesiology program of activities, regardless of the sex of pupils, had also given good results in terms of the reduction of the subcutaneous adipose tissue, as well as the volume and body mass of children. The authors believe that a regular program of physical education in preschool institutions is insufficient for the preparatory preschool group and that additional kinesiological activities give better results in the reduction of body mass and subcutaneous fat, especially if they are directed towards the development of biotic motor skills.

Keywords

• experimental treatment
• morphological characteristics
• preparatory preschool groups