THE INFLUENCE OF THE RECREATIONAL GYMNASTICS PROGRAM ON THE ANTHROPOLOGICAL CHARACTERISTICS OF CHILDREN OF YOUNGER SCHOOL AGE

Brojna istraživanja pokazala su pozitivan utjecaj organizirane tjelesne aktivnosti na antropološka obilježja djece mlađe školske dobi. Osim pozitivnog utjecaja na antropološka obilježja, djeca sudjelovanjem u organiziranoj tjelesnoj aktivnosti, razvijaju pozitivnu naviku redovitog tjelesnog vježbanja koja će im poslije u životu doprinijeti kvalitetnijem i zdravijem životu. Ovim diplomskim radom opisana je sportska gimnastika i njezina važnost u pravilnom razvoju djece. Definirane su razvojne karakteristike djece mlađe školske dobi, motorički razvoj i motoričke sposobnosti. Također, opisani su sadržaji koji su se provodili tijekom šest mjeseci u rekreativnom gimnastičkom programu. Cilj istraživanja bio je utvrditi postoji li utjecaj rekreativnog programa gimnastike na antropološka obilježja djece mlađe školske dobi. U istraživanju je sudjelovalo 19 djece u dobi od 10 godina koja su tijekom šest mjeseci pohađala rekreativni program gimnastike, dva puta tjedno u trajanju od 60 minuta. Provedeno je inicijalno i finalno provjeravanje, a testovima za procjenu motoričkih sposobnosti testirale su se koordinacija, eksplozivna snaga, repetitivna snaga, fleksibilnost i ravnoteža. Istraživanjem je utvrđen pozitivan utjecaj rekreativnog programa gimnastike na antropološka obilježja djece, a raznoliki sadržaji koji su se provodili pozitivno su se odrazili na koordinaciju, repetitivnu snagu, fleksibilnost i ravnotežu.Previous research has shown a positive influence of organized physical activity on the anthropological characteristics of children of younger school age. Apart from the positive influence of organized physical activity on anthropological characteristics of children, it was observed that through participation in organized physical activity, children also develop positive habits of regular physical exercise, which will contribute to a higher quality of life and better health later in life. This thesis describes the sports gymnastics and its importance in the proper development of children. It defines developmental characteristics of children of younger school age, motor development, and motor skills. It also describes the contents practiced during six months in the recreational gymnastics program. The research aimed to define whether there is an influence of the recreational gymnastics program on the anthropological characteristics of children of younger school age. Nineteen children at the age of 10 took part in the program, and for six months they attended the recreational gymnastics program twice a week for 60 minutes. There have been an initial and a final check-up, and through tests for evaluation of motor skills, we tested coordination, explosion strength, repetitive strength, flexibility, and balance. The conducted research has defined the positive influence of the recreational gymnastics program on anthropological characteristics of children of younger school age, and various contents that were practiced showed a positive influence on coordination, repetitive strength, flexibility, and balance