Non–formal learning basketball practice attending pre–school age childrens physical development, functional and locomotion capacity

Revelance of the topic: Basketball practice is a new activity among pre–school children, which is increasing noticeably. The main objective of the practice is to improve children's physical and functional capacity. Problem: What is a physical development of pre–school age children who play basketball in addition and how is it changing? How is childrens functional and physical condition changing during pre–school education years? Is non–formal education basketball practice effective way of physical education ? Research object: Pre–school boys, who attended the basketball practice, physical development, physical and functional capacity and locomotion abilities. Aim: To investigate physical development features, physical and functional capacity, and locomotion capabilities of pre–school age children who attend basketball pactice. Tasks: 1. To assess children anthropometric indicators and their change during the academic year. 2. To estimate physical capacity and functional body condition of pre–school age children who have chosen basketball practice as non–formal education. 3. To reveal changes in locomotion abilities during the academic year. 32 boys participated in the study. Children from Kaunas–Šančiai kindergarten participated in basketball practice two times per week for six months. Participants physical and functional capacity was estimated before and after basketball practice by using special tests. Conclusions: 1. During the study period (from November to April) preschool age boys height significantly increased from 120 cm to 124 cm (p <0,05). Boys weight did not change significantly. Boys BMI significantly decreased from16,64 kg/m2 to 15,83kg/m2 (p