Efficiency of an Alternative Physical Education Program for the Lower Grades of Elementary School Children

Bibliographic Data

ID15714602
AuthorsJovan N Markovic (0000-0003-3844-4574, University of Kragujevac, corresponding author), Jovan Marković (0000-0003-0321-6272, University of Kragujevac), Saša Bubanj (0000-0002-7548-3321, University of Nis), Goran Šekeljić (0000-0002-3764-7305, University of Kragujevac), Slobodan Pavlović (0000-0003-0114-4981, University of Kragujevac), Marko Radenković (0000-0001-8320-1374, University of Nis), Dušan Stanković (0000-0002-2839-0536, University of Nis), Emilija Petković (0000-0002-0031-0338, University of Nis), Nikola Aksović (0000-0002-5312-3456, Faculty of Sport and Physical Education, University of Priština, 38218 Leposavić, Serbia), Oliver Radenković (0000-0001-8165-1590, State University of Novi Pazar), Adem Preljević (0000-0001-8386-1364, State University of Novi Pazar), Bojan Bjelica (0000-0001-5539-8210, University of East Sarajevo), Vladan Petrović (0000-0002-4858-1161, University of Nis), Šćepan Sinanović (0000-0002-8125-7873, Milutin Milanković High Medical College of Professional Studies, 11000 Belgrade, Serbia), Milena Tomović (0000-0002-5503-0990, Aristotle University of Thessaloniki)
Year2023
Volume10
Issue10
Pages1657-1657
Publication date2023-10-06
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueChildren (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children10101657
PMID37892320
OpenAlexW4387408320
LanguageEN
Citations received1
References cited28

(1) Introduction: This research was conducted with the aim of assessing whether an alternative physical education (PE) program could effectively substitute for the traditional PE curriculum and aid in accomplishing the essential goals and objectives of PE among younger elementary school children. (2) Materials and Methods: This longitudinal 6-month study included third-grade elementary school children of both genders, who were healthy, lived in urban areas, and were involved in an alternative PE program, as well as the regular PE classes. The sample of participants comprised 214 students, with 105 participants in the experimental group and 109 participants in the control group, who underwent pre- and post-intervention measurements. For the purposes of this study, 11 variables were applied to assess the parameters of growth and development, motor abilities, and physical and health education. MANCOVA and ANCOVA methods were used to determine the effects resulting from the alternative and regular PE programs, and differences between the groups, respectively. The data are reported as the mean and standard deviations, and were analyzed using the statistical package SPSS version 20.0 (SPSS Inc., Armonk, NY, USA). (3) Results: Based on the research results obtained for motor abilities and physical and health education, it was concluded that both the alternative and regular PE programs had positive effects in achieving the goals and objectives of PE, but without statistical significance at the multivariate and univariate levels. The differences between the two groups were found to be negligible (effect size, ES < 0.2). (4) Discussion: Sports and PE have distinct objectives and approaches. While sports emphasize competition and winning, PE aims to impart fundamental skills and knowledge, prioritizing inclusivity among younger students. Success in PE is measured by the number of students meeting these goals, potentially affecting both talented and struggling learners. (5) Conclusions: The results obtained from the conducted research indicate that both the alternative PE program and the regular PE program influence changes in motor abilities and physical and health education to a limited extent. The alternative PE program proposed in this study, with its modifications to the structure of existing, regular PE program, can fully replace the latter in schools that do not meet the required spatial and material standards

Analysis of covariance · Curriculum · Mathematics education · Multivariate statistics · Pedagogy · Physical education · Physical therapy · Sample size determination · Statistical significance · Statistics · Univariate · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport · Mathematics · Medicine · Psychology · Sports and Physical Education Research

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