Daily Physical Education and the Impact of a „Handball at School” Project

Abstract

This study identified what effects project Handball at School had on target accuracy amongst primary aged school children (n=293) over a 6 month period, who undertook daily PE in school. They were grouped into 3 experimental schools in which intervention took place and 2 control schools. In order to examine target accuracy, technical form, and time in task, 2 tests were applied. The first test involved students in throwing sponge-handballs 5 times with no break at a target from a stationary straddle stand. The aim of the exercise was to hit a small box using an overarm throw. The other test involved running movement. Target accuracy and technical form improved in test 1 across all age groups. In the more dynamic activity with the preceding run technical form improved across all age groups and positive trends were identified in target accuracy, albeit that only one age group recorded significant improvements. The authors suggest that the results indicate the benefits of the Handball at School as a sport specific intervention programme. There is a cautionary note that adding further complexity or speed with children in these groups may contribute some confounding variables.

Keywords

• handball
• daily pe
• target accuracy
• primary school children