MORE MINUTES OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION CLASSES SUPPORT MOTOR DEVELOPMENT IN PRESCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of physical education classes in 12 fundamental motor skills (FMS). Preschool students (M = 6.09±0.5 years old) were randomly assigned to a control group (6 boys and 7 girls) who performed the regular preschool class (which includes one 30- minutes session per week); experimental group 1 (6 boys and 6 girls) who received the regular preschool class plus 1 session of 30 minutes per week of the intervention program; or experimental group 2 (6 boys and 7 girls), who received the regular preschool class plus 1 session of 60 minutes per week of the intervention program; during 8 weeks (n=38). All participants performed the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) before and after the study. A one-way MANOVA reflected a similar behavior in al FMS in the pre-test. A two-way MANOVA (group x time) reflected no interaction in the 12 FMS; also in the 6 object control FMS; but there was an interaction in the 6 locomotor FMS. In conclusion, 90-minutes of physical education classes per week only benefit the FMS of galloping and hopping.