The effects of digital physical exercise videos on the locomotor skill learning of pre-school children

Abstract

Fundamental movement skills acquired during pre-school years provide the basis of normal motor development, positive self-image, self-perceived sports competencies in the adolescence. An instructional approach supported with visual materials may improve learning in pre-school children. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of digital physical exercise videos on pre-school children's locomotor skill learning. A total of 906 children (662 Turkish and 244 Bulgarian), participated in the study as intervention (n = 442) and control (n = 464) groups. Each motor skill program consisted of video based 15-minute physical exercise for eight-weeks. Ulrich’s Test of Gross Motor Development was used for the assessment of fundamental motor skill performance at the beginning of the study as pre-test and at the end of the eight-week digital visual supported locomotor movement program as posttest. Two separate 2 × 2 (Group × Time) ANOVAs with repeated measures were used to analyze the improvement in locomotor skills performances of intervention and control groups. Results indicated significant Group × Time interactions for the locomotor sub-scale (p < 0.05). The intervention group showed a statistically significant improvement in locomotor skills, whereas control group did not show any significant change. The result provide evidence that locomotor motor skill performance may be improved via digital materials focused on locomotor skill development.