Abstract

The purpose of this study is the determine the influence of gymnastics training integrated with physical education courses on selected motor performance variables in seven  year old girls. Subjects were divided into two groups: 1, control group (N=15, X=7.56±0.46 year old); 2, gymnastics group (N=16, X=7.60±0.50 year old). The students in the control group followed the physical education curriculum for 10 weeks. The students in the gymnastics group took gymnastics training for 10 weeks in addition to physical education curriculum, and this training was given for two days (one hour each) at the university gym. Statistical analyses ( t test) showed that basic gymnastics training improves selected motor tests like standing long jump, trunk lift, sit and reach, balance, run 20 m, chin-up, curl-up, push-up (p<0.05). Nevertheless, physical education classes alone did not affect these motor performance variables (p>0.05), which were not expected.

Key words: Physical education, gymnastics training, children, motor performance.