Impact of selected motion programs on swimming capacity and motoric performance of 7 - 8 year children in Slovakia

Abstract

In the study we present the results of the impact of selected movement programs aimed at increasing the level of swimming ability and motor performance of children aged 7-8 years. 152 children were involved in the research and were divided into 2 groups. The experimental group completed an hour of swimming 1 time per week. The control group underwent various extracurricular physical activities once a week. Both groups had compulsory physical and sports education 2 times a week during the school year to the same extent. The aim of the research was to broaden the knowledge about the impact of the movement program on the level of swimming ability and motor performance of 7–8 year old children. We conducted testing at the beginning and at the end of the research. Based on the results, we found a significant improvement in swimming capacity (p <0.001). After completing the swimming movement program, each child swam at least 12 meters. In the output measurements of motor abilities, we recorded a statistically significantly higher level of balance abilities (p <0.01). We assume that the improvement of the level of swimming and motor performance was influenced by properly and efficiently designed motion programs in water and dry.