Influence of regular soccer or swimming practice on gross motor development in childhood

Authors

  • Helena A. Rocha University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
  • Daniel A. Marinho University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal
  • Boris Jidovtseff University of Liège, Belgium
  • António J. Silva University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal
  • Aldo M. Costa University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.6063/motricidade.7477

Abstract

The objective of this study was to analyse the changes on gross motor development after five (T5), ten (T10) and 30 (T30) months of swimming or soccer practice. The study sample consists of 33 preschool-aged boys (4.8±0.5 yrs.): 11 soccer practitioners; 11 swimming practitioners; 11 controls (no previous involvement in sports). The Test of Gross Motor Development–Second Edition was used to assess common gross motor skills (locomotion, object control skills). Both experimental groups improved significantly in their gross motor quotient and the standard scores for locomotion and object control skills between T5 and T10. At T10, all soccer practitioners have already reached the maximum descriptive rating for the gross motor quotient. Between T10 and T30, swimming practitioners were able to improve the standard scores for object control skills. Main results showed a positive impact of swimming and soccer participation in motor proficiency.

Author Biographies

Helena A. Rocha, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

Department of Sports Sciences

Daniel A. Marinho, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

Department of Sports Sciences

Research Centre in Sports, Health and Human Development, CIDESD, Portugal

Health Science Research Center, Covilhã, Portugal

Boris Jidovtseff, University of Liège, Belgium

Department of Sport and Rehabilitation Sciences

António J. Silva, University of Trás-os-Montes e Alto Douro, Vila Real, Portugal

Research Centre in Sports, Health and Human Development, CIDESD, Portugal

Department of Sports Sciences, Exercise and Health

Aldo M. Costa, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

Department of Sports Sciences, University of Beira Interior, Covilhã, Portugal

Research Centre in Sports, Health and Human Development, CIDESD, Portugal

Health Science Research Center, CICS-UBI, Covilhã, Portugal

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Published

2017-05-03

Issue

Section

Original Article

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