Effects of a 6-Month Gymnastics Program on Somatotype and Motor Performance in Children Across Age Groups

Effects of a 6-Month Gymnastics Program on Somatotype and Motor Performance in Children Across Age Groups

The study adopted a controlled 6-month study design to compare the gymnastics group (n= 56) with the inactive control group (n=88). Anthropometric profiling, somatotype assessment, and motor performance tests were conducted pre- and post-intervention

The study design for the present investigation was prospective, controlled, and observational with a duration of 6 months. The repeated measures design approach has been used to assess the neuromuscular and morphological adaptations (Pre-test vs. Post-test) for the gymnastics and inactive groups. The intervention and observation period for the study was 2 days x 24 weeks.

To ensure high internal validity and to minimize the effects of circadian rhythm changes, all pre- and post-test assessments were conducted during the morning hours, between 09:00 and 11:30 AM, under similar environmental conditions (temperature and humidity). Prior to the pre-test, standardized pre-test procedures were clearly explained to the participants and their parents. Children were instructed to adhere to their routine sleeping habits (minimum 8 hours of sleep) and abstain from any strenuous physical activity and sports for at least 24 hours prior to the pre- and post-test assessments.

With regard to the standardized nutritional conditions, the participants were instructed to adhere to their routine diet but abstain from heavy meals for at least 2 hours prior to the pre- and post-test assessments. Participants were allowed to drink water ad libitum up to 30 minutes prior to the assessments.

On the assessment days, a logical and non-fatiguing sequence of the pre- and post-test assessments was strictly followed. Non-invasive anthropometric assessments such as stature, body mass, skinfolds, girths, and breadths were conducted for all the participants, while they were in a rested and non-sweated condition. After the anthropometric assessments, the participants were administered a standardized 10-minute dynamic warm-up procedure by a certified strength and conditioning specialist. Subsequently, the motor performance tests were conducted. To prevent the participants from fatigue, the physical tests were conducted from the least to the most fatiguing, from flexibility to muscular endurance and sprint capacity, with strict adherence to the intervening time of 3-5 minutes between the assessments

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Inclusion Criteria:

• For Experimental Group: Active and continuous participation in a gymnastics program during the entire 6-month period.
• Inactive control group : comprised participants who did not practice any form of sports, athletics, and physical training outside their usual physical education classes at school.

Exclusion Criteria:

• the presence of any chronic metabolic, cardiovascular, and endocrine disorders;
• a history of severe musculoskeletal injuries and orthopedic surgeries within the past year;
• the use of medications known to have a significant impact on body composition and physical performance; and
• an attendance rate of less than 85% for the gymnastics sessions (only for the intervention group).