Evaluation of Effects of the Beginner Program of Work Synchronized Swimming at Kinantropologia's Characteristics of Preschool-Aged Children

Cilj ovog završnog rada bio je ispitati vrijednost početničkog programa rada sinkroniziranog plivanja i njegov utjecaj na kinantropološka obilježja djece rane i predškolske dobi. Provođenjem sedam različitih testova za procjenu kinantropoloških obilježja nastojao se dokazati pozitivan utjecaj programa sinkroniziranog plivanja, ali i općenito utjecaj bavljenja sportom. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo dvadeset djevojčica polaznica redovitog programa vrtića u dobi od 5 i 6 godina, podijeljenih u dvije jednake skupine. Eksperimentalnu skupinu činilo je deset plivačica Kluba sinkroniziranog plivanja Primorje Aqua Maris, dok je kontrolnu skupnu činilo deset djevojčica koje se ne bave sportom. U tom periodu eksperimentalna skupina bila je pod dodatnim utjecajem početničkog programa rada sinkroniziranog plivanja. Obje skupine mjerene su na početku i na kraju istraživačkog postupka. U provedenom istraživanju eksperimentalna skupina u finalnom je mjerenju pokazala izniman napredak s obzirom na inicijalno mjerenje na području kinantropoloških obilježja, dok je kontrolna skupina ostala na istome, te je u pojedinim područjima nazadovala. Dokazana je kvaliteta i značajan utjecaj programa rada sinkroniziranog plivanja na kinantropološka obilježja djece rane i predškolske dobi, kao i veliki pozitivan utjecaj bavljenja tjelesnom aktivnosti, a pogotovo organiziranim sportskim aktivnostima od najranije dobi djetinjstva. Odgojno-obrazovne institucije trebale bi unutar ustanove provoditi programe edukacije roditelja i odgajatelja, upoznati ih sa dosadašnjim istraživanjima u kojima je dokazana važnost tjelesne aktivnosti za djecu na njihov rast, razvoj, intelektualne i motoričke sposobnosti, za rad mišića i krvožilnog sustava, te cjelokupnog normalnog funkcioniranja organizma.The aim of this final work was to explore the benefits and possible effects of the beginners synchronised swimming programme on the kinanthropometric features of toddlers and pre-schoolers. Seven different kinanthropometric tests were used in order to prove the positive effects of the synchronised swimming programme, and of practicing sports in general, on these features. The participants of this research were twenty females between the ages of 5 and 6, attending the standard preschool programme, split into two equal-sized groups. The experimental group consisted of ten swimmers of the Synchronised Swimming Club Primorje Acqua Maris, while the control group consisted of ten girls who do not practice a sport. During the trial the experimental group was additionally exposed to the beginners synchronised swimming programme. The measurements of kinanthropometric features of both groups were done at the beginning and at the end of the trial period. In the conducted research the final measurements of the experimental group showed exceptional improvement in comparison to their initial measurements. On the other hand, the final measurements of the control group matched the initial measurements or demonstrated a deterioration of some kinanthropometric features. Thus, the research demonstrated the quality and significant benefits of the beginners synchronised swimming programme on the kinanthropometric features of toddlers and pre-schoolers, as well as the positive effects of physical activity and practice of organised sports from an early age. Educational institutions should implement informative programmes for parents and teachers within the institution. This would allow them to familiarise with up to date research that demonstrated the importance of physical activity for the child’s growth and for their development of intellectual and motor skills, as well as its importance in normal functioning of the muscular and cardiovascular system and the body as a whole