Investigation of the effects of gymnastic studies on physical fitness and rough motor skills development in children between 6 and 7 years of age

Objective: The aim of present study was to determine the effect of a 12-week gymnastic program on some physical fitness components and gross motor skills development of 6-7 year old children in the period of basic movements. Method: A total of 28 students (17 boys, 11 girls) who participated in the study at Duraliler Elementary School in Konyaalti province of Antalya participated voluntarily. A total of 28 students (experiment 15, control 13) were included in the physical fitness measurements, and 21 students (experiment 13, control 8) were included in the TGMD and Physical Fitness follow-up measurements. Physical fitness and coarse motor development test (TGMD-2) were administered to children participating in the study before and after the 12-week gymnastics program. Results: No changes were observed in the control group when the 12-week gymnastics program applied to the experimental group showed that the experimental group had a significant improvement in the balance test. As a result of gross motor development tests, in experimental group there was a significant change in the gallop, horizontal jump and the locomotor raw score in locomotor subtest and the underhand roll and object control raw scores in the object control subtest. No significant improvement was observed in the control group. Conclusion: As a result of present study, in experimental group participating in the 12-week gymnastics training program, statistically significant improvements were observed in the locomotor and object control sub test of gross motor development test and balance test. In particular, no statistically significant change was observed in most of the physical fitness parameters; it can be concluded that the duration of the gymnastics program was short and that the content of the gymnastics program did not relate to the physical fitness variables. Especially in school age, measurement and evaluation of rough motor development is of great importance. It is suggested that preschool teachers, class teachers and physical education teachers should be made aware of this issue. Key words: Gymnastics, physical fitness, rough motor development, TGMD-2