The Effectiveness of Using Educational Gymnastics skills on Motor Capabilities and Social Behaviour among Kindergarten children

Recently, I've read a study conducted by Aida Al-Awamleh called "The Effectiveness of Using Educational Gymnastics skills on Motor Capabilities and Social Behaviour among Kindergarten children" for Konstanz University, published in 2010.

It comes as no surprise to me that "Results indicated that motor capabilities, balance, agility, strength endurance; flexibility, explosive power, and muscular endurance improved significantly in the experimental group.Differences were also found between experimental and control groups with regard to social skills and problem behavior according to parents and teachers reports. Gender differences were noted in connection with motor capabilities, social skills and problem behavior. Significant relationships were found between motor capabilities and social behavior. Left-handed children had better reaction times than right handed."

What I found most unique about this study was it seems there was no coach in this study. The researcher designed a program that would was age appropriate with the purpose of improving basic gymnastics skills, loco-motor skills and social skills. The program was recorded on 31 DVDs of other gymnasts (aged 4-10). Each lesson was split into 3 sections: warm-up, the workout, and cool-down. It was an audio-visual program where, they watched and did with their regular school teacher.

If these children are simply imitating a screen, imagine how much more of a significant impact on the differences between the control group and the experimental group were to be if I were coaching them?  I would like to see future prospects of a study like this conducted with great coaches!

I love seeing these types of studies done to really drive in to my heart that what I'm doing is really making a positive difference in a young child's life.