Assessment of kinematic characteristics of preschoolers’ gait during the implementation of an intervention training program

The purpose of this study was to assess the kinematic characteristics of the gait of preschoolers before and after the implementation of an intervention training program. A group of twenty preschoolers without motor disorders participating in the study were assigned to two groups: the experimental group - 10 preschoolers (mean age 4.9±0.2 years) - and the control group - 10 preschoolers (mean age 4.8±0.3 years). Participants were assessed using the same test before and after the implementation of the intervention training program: they had to walk in a straight line three times along a distance of 5 meters (m). Kinematic variables were analysed based on 3D video processing using APAS software. Repeated Measures ANOVA was used to examine the effectiveness of the intervention training program (p<0.05). Results indicated that there were statistically significant differences in the Displacement of the Center of Mass during the Right Foot Support phase. There is a need for intervention training programs to enhance motor skill levels and the quality of movement in all children

Relationship between time and goal scoring of European soccer teams with different league ranking

The aim of the current study was to compare scored and conceded goals as well as the time period among teams of different league ranking. Researchers recorded the total games (n= 1446) of the top European leagues of Spain, Italy, Germany, and France for the period 2015-2016. The teams were divided into the ones which achieved their participation for European cups (L1), teams that remained to the category (L2), and teams which relegated to the lower category (L3). The researchers recorded the scored goals, the conceded goals, and the goal differences, per game, per half, and per 15min in total games for 2015-2016 season. The results showed that L1 teams were superior to L2 and L3 in overall goal scoring characteristics in both halves. The superior 15min periods were also explored. In addition, L2 teams performed higher than L3 teams in most of the variables. In conclusion, the difference between L1 with L2 and L3 teams is based in goal scoring during the whole game, in contrast with the difference between L2 and L3 teams that relies on stronger defense. On the other hand, L3 teams did not perform higher in any goal scoring pattern than the other two groups. It is obvious, that performance difference is achieved by the first half which is difficult to change during the second half. Thus, coaches have to emphasize achieving high performance in the first half of the game. Furthermore, they must use their substitutions so as to avoid poor performance periods and heighten the offensive and defensive play of their teams

The influence of an intervention training program in the improvement of fundamental movement skills of preschoolers’ with different biological age, aged 4-6 years old

The purpose of the study was the evaluation of the influence of an intervention training program in fundamental movement skills of children with different biological age, aged 4-6 years old. 62 healthy preschoolers participated voluntarily in the study. They were allocated to eight groups based on their Chronological Age (C.A.) and Biological Age (B.A.). The four (4) Experimental Groups participated in the intervention training program of fundamental movement skills, which lasted sixteen (16) months (guided discovery/ consolidation/ exploration activities, games), as part of their daily schedule (25΄-30΄, 2 times per week) under the supervision of the preschool teacher–researcher. The corresponding Control Groups participated only in the schedule of their scholastic activities. Before, during and after the completion of the aforementioned intervention program, tests took place with the participation of all groups. The kinematic analysis of the fundamental movement skills was performed with 3D video analysis and specifically with the use of Ariel Performance Analysis System (APAS) software. The research was conducted after official approval from the Greek Ministry of Education and Religious Affairs and written consent on behalf of the parents. In addition, it abides with Aristotle University of Thessaloniki Code of Conduct. A repeated measures ΜANOVA was used for the statistical analysis (p < 0.05). It is also worth mentioning that the Control Groups did not presented statistically significant differences with respect to the variables tested. According to the data, the Displacement of Center of Mass consists an important indication of the improvement of gait for the children who participated in the intervention program. During running it seems that they adopted their own kinetic archetype, presenting an increase in displacement, proportional to speed. As far as the vertical jump is concerned, the children presented improved performance, as they jumped higher and faster. With respect to horizontal jump, the Displacement of Center of Mass was also improved. The three (3) Experimental Groups improved their throwing capability due to the fact that there was a statistically significant variation in the Angle of the right Elbow during the release phase. In kicking, the increase of the horizontal Displacement strengthens forward direction of the body during the kicks performed by the biologically prematurely developed children born in 2010. During reception, the variation of the angular velocity of the elbow of the older children is a significant index of the improvement in ball reception technique. In striking they jumped vertically higher following the movement of both the racket and the ball with a slight forward lean of their body. To conclude, the intervention programs should also be applied to typically developed children, given the fact that they improve the level of their motor skills as well as the quality of every preschooler’s movement.Σκοπός της παρούσας έρευνας είναι η διερεύνηση της επίδρασης ενός ειδικού προγράμματος παρέμβασης στα κινηματικά χαρακτηριστικά βασικών κινητικών δεξιοτήτων σε νήπια 4-6 ετών διαφορετικής βιολογικής ηλικίας. Στην εν λόγω έρευνα συμμετείχαν εθελοντικά 62 υγιή παιδιά και χωρίστηκαν σε οκτώ ομάδες βάσει χρονικής και βιολογικής ηλικίας. Οι τέσσερις Πειραματικές Ομάδες συμμετείχαν στο πρόγραμμα παρέμβασης κινητικών δραστηριοτήτων διάρκειας 16 μηνών ( δραστηριότητες εξερεύνησης, καθοδηγούμενης ανακάλυψης, εμπέδωσης-παιχνίδια) ως μέρος του ημερήσιου προγράμματος (25΄- 30΄, 2 φορές την εβδομάδα) υπό την επίβλεψη της νηπιαγωγού-ερευνήτριας. Οι αντίστοιχες Ομάδες Ελέγχου μετείχαν μόνο στο πρόγραμμα των ενδοσχολικών δραστηριοτήτων. Πριν, κατά τη διάρκεια και μετά το πέρας του ανωτέρω προγράμματος διεξήχθησαν δοκιμασίες μέτρησης με τη συμμετοχή όλων των ομάδων. Για την κινηματική ανάλυση των βασικών κινητικών δεξιοτήτων χρησιμοποιήθηκε η τρισδιάστατη (3D) βιντεοανάλυση, μέσω του προγράμματος APAS (Ariel Performance Analysis System). Η έρευνα πραγματοποιήθηκε σύμφωνα με τις αρχές του Κώδικα Δεοντολογίας του Αριστοτέλειου Πανεπιστημίου Θεσσαλονίκης κατόπιν επίσημης έγκρισης του Υπουργείου Παιδείας & Θρησκευμάτων, καθώς και γραπτής συγκατάθεσης των γονέων των παιδιών. Για τη στατιστική ανάλυση της συγκεκριμένης έρευνας χρησιμοποιήθηκε η πολυμεταβλητή ανάλυση διακύμανσης (ΜANOVA) με επαναλαμβανόμενες μετρήσεις (REPEATED MEASURES) (p ≤ 0,05). Αξίζει να σημειωθεί ότι οι Ομάδες Ελέχου δεν παρουσίασαν στατιστικά σημαντικές διαφορές στις μεταβλητές που αξιολογήθηκαν. Σύμφωνα με τα δεδομένα της παρούσας έρευνας, η Μετατόπιση Κέντρου Μάζας Σώματος αποτελεί σημαντική ένδειξη για τη βελτίωση της βάδισης στα παιδιά που συμμετείχαν στο πρόγραμμα. Στο τρέξιμο φαίνεται να υιοθέτησαν δικό τους κινητικό πρότυπο, παρουσιάζοντας αύξηση στη μετατόπιση ανάλογη της ταχύτητας. Στο κατακόρυφο άλμα εμφάνισαν βελτίωση, καθώς φαίνεται να πήδηξαν πιο ψηλά και πιο γρήγορα. Το ίδιο διαπιστώθηκε στο οριζόντιο άλμα όσον αφορά τη Μετατόπιση του Κέντρου Μάζας. Οι τρεις Πειραματικές Ομάδες παρουσίασαν βελτίωση στη ρίψη, καθώς παρατηρήθηκε στατιστικά σημαντική διαφορά στη Γωνία Δεξιού Αγκώνα στη φάση της απελευθέρωσης. Στο λάκτισμα η αύξηση της οριζόντιας Μετατόπισης ισχυροποιεί την κατεύθυνση του σώματος προς τα μπροστά για την εκτέλεση του σουτ από τα πρόωρα βιολογικά αναπτυγμένα παιδιά γεννηθέντα το 2010. Στην υποδοχή η μεταβολή της γωνιακής ταχύτητας του αγκώνα στα μεγαλύτερα παιδιά δείχνει να αποτελεί σημαντικό δείκτη για τη βελτίωση της τεχνικής. Στο χτύπημα πήδηξαν ψηλότερα κατακόρυφα, ακολουθώντας την κίνηση της ρακέτας και της μπάλας με ελαφριά κλίση του σώματός τους μπροστά. Συμπερασματικά, θα λέγαμε ότι τα προγράμματα παρέμβασης χρήζουν εφαρμογής και σε τυπικά αναπτυσσόμενα παιδιά, καθώς βελτιώνουν το επίπεδο κινητικής ικανότητας και την ποιότητα της κίνησης του εκάστοτε παιδιού