The influence of regular swimming practices on global motor development throughout childhood

Authors

  • Orilda M. Moura Departamento de Ciências do Desporto, Universidade da Beira Interior
  • Henrique P. Neiva Departamento de Ciências do Desporto, Universidade da Beira Interior; Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, CIDESD (Portugal) https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9283-312X
  • Luís B. Faíl Departamento de Ciências do Desporto, Universidade da Beira Interior; Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, CIDESD (Portugal)
  • Jorge E. Morais Departamento de Ciências do Desporto e Educação Física, Instituto Politécnico de Bragança; Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, CIDESD (Portugal). https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6885-0648
  • Daniel A. Marinho Departamento de Ciências do Desporto, Universidade da Beira Interior; Centro de Investigação em Desporto, Saúde e Desenvolvimento Humano, CIDESD (Portugal) https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2351-3047

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v1i40.83090

Keywords:

swimming, children, motor development, motor skills, motor control

Abstract

Although swimming is a sport usually practiced by children, little knowledge exists about its effect on motor development. This study aimed to evaluate and compare the gross motor development in children of different ages with or without regular swimming practices.  116 children (58 males, 58 females) aged between 5 to 10 years old, distributed in two groups, those who experienced swimming lessons (n=57) and those who did not have any swimming experience (n=59). The gross motor development was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2. Children aged between 5 and 10 years old showed significantly higher values in the sum of motor skills (52.23 ± 9.58 vs. 48.69 ± 9.64, p = .04) and the global motor development quotient (68.16 ± 11.57 vs. 64.56 ± 12.04, p = .04). These differences between the groups were more evident for children aged 7 and 8 years (sum of skills: 55.00 ± 8.44 vs. 48.25 ± 9.48, p = .008; quotient: 68.88 ± 10.90 vs. 6.38 ± 11.55, p = .005). In children aged 5 and 6 years, 9 and 10 years, there were no significant differences. The results thus suggest a positive effect of regular swimming practice on the gross motor development of children between 5 and 10 years old, and the results seem to suggest that this is more evident in the middle ages (7 and 8 years old) .

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Published

2021-04-01

How to Cite

Moura, O. M., Neiva, H. P., Faíl, L. B., Morais, J. E., & Marinho, D. A. (2021). The influence of regular swimming practices on global motor development throughout childhood. Retos, 40, 296–304. https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v1i40.83090

Issue

Vol. 40 (2021)

Section

Original Research Article

License

Copyright (c) 2020 Orilda M. Moura, Henrique P. Neiva, Luís B. Faíl, Jorge E. Morais, Daniel A. Marinho

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