Тhe effects of skill-based exercises and a small-sided games program on the motor skills of elementary school students

Abstract

The purpose of this experimental study was to determine the effects of a skill-based exercise program on the motor skills of a group of elementary school students. The study was conducted on 90 participants, with an average age of 13, randomly divided into two groups: an experimental [n = 39 (19 girls and 20 boys)] and a control group [n = 51 (24 girls and 27 boys)]. The motor skills were tested at the initial and final measurements. Motor skills were evaluated by 3 flexibility tests, 4 force and strength tests, 4 speed, acceleration and agility tests, and 1 test for assessing cardiorespiratory fitness. After conducting the 16-week program of skill-based exercises and small-sided games related to volleyball, all the parameters of motor skills statistically significantly increased in the experimental group (except for speed among the boys). In the experimental period, the control group did not notice any significant changes in the parameters of the motor skills. The results of this study showed that there were no significant differences in the impact of the two programs on motor skills at the multivariate level but that at the univariate level it was noted that the experimental group of participants following the experimental program had better results compared to the control group of participants in terms of speed and agility tests, for both genders, as well as force and strength among the girls, and cardiorespiratory fitness among the boys. The obtained results indicate that the program of skill-based exercises and small-sided games related to volleyball is suitable for the development of the flexibility, force and strength, and agility of elementary school students.