Participation of Children in Organized Sports Activities During Preschool and Primary School Period: Research Overview

Abstract

The paper presents the results of previous research dealing with the participation of preschool and elementary school children in organized sports activities. The paper discusses the positive and negative impacts of participation in organized sports activities on a child's health and wellbeing and whether free play or participation in structured sports activities is better for a child's motor development. In addition, it discusses how specific sports activities affect locomotor, manipulative and conditioning abilities of children; how the same sports programs can differently affect the development of diverse abilities in boys and girls and how the family and its socio-economic status influence the involvement of children in organized sports activities. Former studies have shown that a child's age influences involvement in organized sports activities much more than a child's gender. Differences in involvement in organized sports activities between boys and girls are almost nonexistent. Gender differences are manifested when choosing sports activities.