Opportunities for the Development of Motor Skills through Music-Movement and Dance Activities of 9–10-Year-Old Pupils

Abstract

The goal of the research was to determine the impact of an intervention program containing musical movement and dance activities on the level of pupils’ physical abilities at the elementary level of education in physical and sport education classes. The object of the research consisted of Ʃ63 pupils, boys (n=30) aged 10.21±0.42 and girls (n=32) aged 10.32±0.37. The content of the movement program was selected means containing music and movement, dance activities and aerobics, which were implemented for 18 weeks, twice a week, 45 min during physical and sport education. In terms of data collection methods, standardized tests for physical education practice were used. Tests were used to assess the level of motor skills: sitand- reach test, standing long jump, sit-ups in 30s, endurance shuttle run and shuttle run 4x10. The somatometry method was used. The effect of the implemented movement program was confirmed and significant positive changes in the level of the observed movement abilities were observed: the level of mobility in the joints of the trunk in boys (t=-8.471), girls (t=-9.357), explosive power of the lower limbs in boys (t=-14.459), girls (Z=-4.940), the dynamic and endurance power of the abdominal, hip and thigh muscles in boys (Z=-4.325), girls (t=-19.264), running speed in both boys (Z=-4.783), girls (t=7.095) with a large effect size, in endurance skills in both boys (Z=-4.828), girls, (Z=-5.028) also with a large effect size. Based on the results, the regular and purposeful physical activity of pupils in the school environment significantly influences the level of physical abilities, and thus physical fitness as one of the manifestations of health.