Effects of coordination-based training on preschool children’s physical fitness, motor competence and inhibition control

Abstract Aim This study aimed to investigate the effects of a coordination-based training program on physical fitness, motor competence, and inhibition control in preschool children. Method Fifty-one preschool children aged 5 to 6 years (M = 6.03, SD = 0.30), were randomly assigned to either an exer...

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Main Authors: Beyza Başarır, Umut Canlı, Ali Mert Şendil, Cristina Ioana Alexe, Răzvan Andrei Tomozei, Dan Iulian Alexe, Lucian Ovidiu Burchel
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Pediatrics
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05897-x
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author Beyza Başarır
Umut Canlı
Ali Mert Şendil
Cristina Ioana Alexe
Răzvan Andrei Tomozei
Dan Iulian Alexe
Lucian Ovidiu Burchel
author_facet Beyza Başarır
Umut Canlı
Ali Mert Şendil
Cristina Ioana Alexe
Răzvan Andrei Tomozei
Dan Iulian Alexe
Lucian Ovidiu Burchel
author_sort Beyza Başarır
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Aim This study aimed to investigate the effects of a coordination-based training program on physical fitness, motor competence, and inhibition control in preschool children. Method Fifty-one preschool children aged 5 to 6 years (M = 6.03, SD = 0.30), were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (EG; n = 26), which received a coordination-based training program, or a control group (CG; n = 25), which continued their routine activities. All participants were recruited from a preschool. Physical fitness (PF) was assessed through agility, static and dynamic balance, and vertical jump tests. Motor competence (MC) was measured using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder 3+ (KTK3+), and inhibition control (IC) was evaluated via the Go/No-Go test. Result The group-time interaction showed that the exercise group’s score increase was significantly higher than that of the CG in vertical jumping (F(1−49) = 14.569, p < 0.001, η p 2   = 0.229) and KTK Balancing Backwards (F(1−49) = 14.051, p < 0.001, η p 2   = 0.223) variables. Also, CG’s score increase was significantly higher than that of the EG in KTK Moving Sideways (F(1−49) = 9.984, p < 0.01, η p 2   = 0.169). However, statistically significant differences were not found in the comparison of group x time interaction in all other variables (p > 0.05). Conclusion The coordination-based training provided to the exercise group led to significant improvements in vertical jump performance (an indicator of lower extremity strength) and KTK Balancing Backwards scores (an indicator of dynamic balance) compared to the control group. These findings suggest that coordination-based training can enhance lower extremity strength and dynamic balance in preschool children.
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publishDate 2025-07-01
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series BMC Pediatrics
spelling doaj-art-92b04f872a1d4aa3a459c9eaa2cf27e22025-08-20T04:03:07ZengBMCBMC Pediatrics1471-24312025-07-0125111210.1186/s12887-025-05897-xEffects of coordination-based training on preschool children’s physical fitness, motor competence and inhibition controlBeyza Başarır0Umut Canlı1Ali Mert Şendil2Cristina Ioana Alexe3Răzvan Andrei Tomozei4Dan Iulian Alexe5Lucian Ovidiu Burchel6Department of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal UniversityDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal UniversityDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, Faculty of Sports Sciences, Tekirdağ Namık Kemal UniversityDepartment of Physical Education and Sports Performance, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of BacauDepartment of Physical Education and Sport, “Alexandru Ioan Cuza” University of IașiDepartment of Physical and Occupational Therapy, “Vasile Alecsandri” University of BacăuDepartment of Environmental Sciences, Physics, Physical Education and Sports, Faculty of Sciences, Lucian Blaga University of SibiuAbstract Aim This study aimed to investigate the effects of a coordination-based training program on physical fitness, motor competence, and inhibition control in preschool children. Method Fifty-one preschool children aged 5 to 6 years (M = 6.03, SD = 0.30), were randomly assigned to either an exercise group (EG; n = 26), which received a coordination-based training program, or a control group (CG; n = 25), which continued their routine activities. All participants were recruited from a preschool. Physical fitness (PF) was assessed through agility, static and dynamic balance, and vertical jump tests. Motor competence (MC) was measured using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder 3+ (KTK3+), and inhibition control (IC) was evaluated via the Go/No-Go test. Result The group-time interaction showed that the exercise group’s score increase was significantly higher than that of the CG in vertical jumping (F(1−49) = 14.569, p < 0.001, η p 2   = 0.229) and KTK Balancing Backwards (F(1−49) = 14.051, p < 0.001, η p 2   = 0.223) variables. Also, CG’s score increase was significantly higher than that of the EG in KTK Moving Sideways (F(1−49) = 9.984, p < 0.01, η p 2   = 0.169). However, statistically significant differences were not found in the comparison of group x time interaction in all other variables (p > 0.05). Conclusion The coordination-based training provided to the exercise group led to significant improvements in vertical jump performance (an indicator of lower extremity strength) and KTK Balancing Backwards scores (an indicator of dynamic balance) compared to the control group. These findings suggest that coordination-based training can enhance lower extremity strength and dynamic balance in preschool children.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05897-xExecutive functionBalanceJumpingResponse timeCoordination
spellingShingle Beyza Başarır
Umut Canlı
Ali Mert Şendil
Cristina Ioana Alexe
Răzvan Andrei Tomozei
Dan Iulian Alexe
Lucian Ovidiu Burchel
Effects of coordination-based training on preschool children’s physical fitness, motor competence and inhibition control
BMC Pediatrics
Executive function
Balance
Jumping
Response time
Coordination
title Effects of coordination-based training on preschool children’s physical fitness, motor competence and inhibition control
title_full Effects of coordination-based training on preschool children’s physical fitness, motor competence and inhibition control
title_fullStr Effects of coordination-based training on preschool children’s physical fitness, motor competence and inhibition control
title_full_unstemmed Effects of coordination-based training on preschool children’s physical fitness, motor competence and inhibition control
title_short Effects of coordination-based training on preschool children’s physical fitness, motor competence and inhibition control
title_sort effects of coordination based training on preschool children s physical fitness motor competence and inhibition control
topic Executive function
Balance
Jumping
Response time
Coordination
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-025-05897-x
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