Differences in physical fitness and gross motor coordination in boys aged 6-12 years specializing in one versus sampling more than one sport

Fransen, J; Pion, J; Vandendriessche, J; Vandorpe, B; Vaeyens, R; Lenoir, M; Philippaerts, RM

Differences in physical fitness and gross motor coordination in boys aged 6-12 years specializing in one versus sampling more than one sport

Fransen, J

Pion, J Vandendriessche, J Vandorpe, B Vaeyens, R Lenoir, M Philippaerts, RM

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Journal of Sports Sciences, 2012, 30 (4), pp. 379 - 386
Issue Date:: 2012-02-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Fransen, J https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3355-1848	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Pion, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Vandendriessche, J	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Vandorpe, B	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Vaeyens, R	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Lenoir, M	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Philippaerts, RM	en_US
dc.date.issued	2012-02-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Journal of Sports Sciences, 2012, 30 (4), pp. 379 - 386	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0264-0414	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/94320
dc.description.abstract	The Developmental Model of Sports Participation proposes two pathways towards expertise in sports between 6 and 12 years of age: early specialization and early diversification. This study investigated the effect of sampling various sports and of spending many or few hours in sports on fitness and gross motor coordination. Altogether, 735 boys in three age groups (6-8, 8-10, and 10-12 years) were profiled using a fitness test battery. A computerized physical activity questionnaire was used to obtain data on sports participation. In the eldest group, (M)ANCOVA showed a positive effect of sampling various sports on strength, speed, endurance, and gross motor coordination (P<0.05). A positive effect of many hours per week spent in sports was apparent in every age group. These data suggest an acute positive effect of many hours in sports and a latent positive effect of early sampling on fitness and gross motor coordination. Multiple comparisons revealed that boys aged 10-12 years, who spent many hours in various sports, performed better on standing broad jump (P<0.05) and gross motor coordination (P<0.05) than boys specializing in a single sport. Therefore, our results highlight the importance of spending many hours in sports and sampling various sports in the development of fitness and gross motor coordination. © 2012 Taylor & Francis.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Journal of Sports Sciences	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1080/02640414.2011.642808	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Sport Sciences	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Humans	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Questionnaires	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Analysis of Variance	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Cross-Sectional Studies	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Child Behavior	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Motor Skills	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Age Factors	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Movement	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Sports	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Physical Fitness	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Child	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Male	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Muscle Strength	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Surveys and Questionnaires	en_US
dc.title	Differences in physical fitness and gross motor coordination in boys aged 6-12 years specializing in one versus sampling more than one sport	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	4	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	30	en_US
utslib.for	1106 Human Movement and Sports Sciences	en_US
utslib.for	1302 Curriculum and Pedagogy	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Faculty of Health
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - CHSP - Health Services and Practice
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	4	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	30	en_US

Abstract:

The Developmental Model of Sports Participation proposes two pathways towards expertise in sports between 6 and 12 years of age: early specialization and early diversification. This study investigated the effect of sampling various sports and of spending many or few hours in sports on fitness and gross motor coordination. Altogether, 735 boys in three age groups (6-8, 8-10, and 10-12 years) were profiled using a fitness test battery. A computerized physical activity questionnaire was used to obtain data on sports participation. In the eldest group, (M)ANCOVA showed a positive effect of sampling various sports on strength, speed, endurance, and gross motor coordination (P<0.05). A positive effect of many hours per week spent in sports was apparent in every age group. These data suggest an acute positive effect of many hours in sports and a latent positive effect of early sampling on fitness and gross motor coordination. Multiple comparisons revealed that boys aged 10-12 years, who spent many hours in various sports, performed better on standing broad jump (P<0.05) and gross motor coordination (P<0.05) than boys specializing in a single sport. Therefore, our results highlight the importance of spending many hours in sports and sampling various sports in the development of fitness and gross motor coordination. © 2012 Taylor & Francis.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/94320