Abstract des Autors

Concerned over an apparent decline of motor activity and low fitness among the young we have evaluated the impact of regular physical exercise program for the primary school child. This controlled investigation involves 474 children in grades 3 through 5, 220 girls and 254 boys. They have been divided in two groups, experimental (E) and control (C) for testing the hypothesis that a nominal 1 hour per day 3 times per week, from October to April, of activity taught by a physical education professional associated with the normal classroom teacher enhances physiological function. The group C has gone through a normal primary school program (60 minutes two times per week taught by normal classroom teacher). We have evaluated anthropometric data, isometric strength, flexibility, aerobic fitness and motor tests 3 times (in October, December and April). Beginning we have not observed differences between E and C groups. Group E showed a significative increase for the majortiy of the performances as in the December control as with greater evidence in the April control. Particularly from the first to the last control the isometric strength of back extensors increased from 335(SD 90) N to 420(SD 97) N in males and from 278(SD 75) N to 385(SD 91) N in females, the standing high jump increased from 20.8(SD 5.3) cm to 27.7(SD 5.1) cm in males and from 18.7(SD 4.5) cm to 25.3(SD 4.9) cm in females. Hence in the final control the performances of group E have been greater than group C. The perceptual increases have been greater in females than in males, also in group C. Moreover the tests that depend upon the capacity of motors units recruitment have shown the more relevant increases. Therefore we can say that the effects of physical activity chiefly depended by increased capacity in motor skill coordination. A more prolonged activity might increase aerobic and body weight control, as the present data foresee. Verf.-Referat