EFFECTS OF SHORT TERM MULTILATERAL AND SPORT SPECIFIC TRAINING ON PHYSICAL FITNESS PROFILE OF MALAYSIAN SCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

The promotion of regular physical activity in children is essential, since childhood inactivity can influence future negative activity patterns in adulthood. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of specific and multilateral training on physical fitness profile of Malaysian school children. Thirty healthy children aged 10±0.39 years, were evenly assigned to Control (PE Classes), Experimental I (PE classes plus Tennis Based Training) and Experimental II (PE classes plus Multilateral Training) groups. Experimental groups featured once weekly additional training (one of specific, another of multilateral modality). Physical fitness was assessed thrice: pre-test, mid-test (6th week) and post-test (after 12 weeks of intervention programme). Test battery included one mile walk/run test, 20 meter dash, sit and reach test, vertical jump, hexagon test, sit-ups and push-ups. One-way ANOVA and post-hoc (Tukey HSD) were performed to determine the significance of differences between groups at each time point and to determine the differences between specific means. Experimental group I displayed significant improvement in lower back flexibility after 6 weeks (p<0.05); aerobic capacity (p<0.01) after 12 weeks, speed (p<0.01) and agility (p<0.01and p<0.001) after 6 and 12 weeks respectively; abdominal and upper body strength after 12 weeks (p<0.01 and p<0.05 respectively). Experimental group II exhibited significant improvement in lower back flexibility after 6 and 12 weeks (p<0.01 and p< 0.001); speed (p<0.05), agility, power, abdominal and upper body strength (all at p<0.001) after 12 weeks of training. No significant improvements were found in control group after 12 weeks in assessed fitness components.