DEVELOPING THE PHYSICAL FITNESS OF PRIMARY SCHOOL STUDENTS THROUGH GYMNASTICS
Keywords:
physical fitness, primary school students, gymnastics, motor skills, physical education, coordination, flexibility, health development, children’s physical activity.Abstract
This article examines the role of gymnastics in developing the physical fitness of primary school students. It outlines the physiological, psychological, and educational benefits of gymnastics-based activities in the early school years. The paper highlights how gymnastics improves strength, flexibility, balance, coordination, motor skills, and overall physical health. Various forms of gymnastics—basic exercises, rhythmic gymnastics, acrobatics, and apparatus-based activities—are explored for their contribution to children’s growth and development.
References
Baumgartner, T. A., & Jackson, A. S. Measurement for Evaluation in Physical Education and Exercise Science. Human Kinetics. (Physical fitness assessment and development methods). 2020.
Graham, G., Holt/Hale, S. A., & Parker, M. Children Moving: A Reflective Approach to Teaching Physical Education. McGraw-Hill. (Gymnastics as a core component in primary PE teaching). 2018.
Lloyd, R. S., & Oliver, J. L. “The Youth Physical Development Model: A New Approach to Long-Term Athletic Development.” Strength and Conditioning Journal, 34(3), 61–72.(Developmental principles relevant to young learners). 2012.
Čuk, I., & Karacsony, I. Artistic Gymnastics: Elements, History, Rules and Judging. University of Ljubljana Press.(Gymnastics fundamentals for educational use). 2021.
Logan, S. W., Robinson, L. E., Wilson, A. E., & Lucas, W. A. (2012). “Getting the fundamentals of movement: A meta‐analysis of the effectiveness of motor skill interventions in children.” Child: Care, Health and Development, 38(3), 305–315. (Motor skill improvements through gymnastics-like activities)
Malina, R. M., Bouchard, C., & Bar-Or, O. Growth, Maturation, and Physical Activity. Human Kinetics. (Effects of structured physical activity on primary school children). 2019.
UNESCO Quality Physical Education: Guidelines for Policy-Makers. UNESCO Publishing. (Includes recommendations for including gymnastics in early education) 2015.
Sands, W. A., Caine, D. J., & Borms, J. (Eds.). Scientific Aspects of Women’s Gymnastics. Routledge. (Biomechanics, safety, and training principles applicable to children). 2018.
Singh, A., Uijtdewilligen, L., Twisk, J. W., van Mechelen, W., & Chinapaw, M. J. “Physical activity and performance at school: a systematic review.” Archives of Pediatrics & Adolescent Medicine, 166(1), 49–55. (Physical fitness and academic outcomes). 2012.
Hardman, K., & Marshall, J. The State and Status of Physical Education in Schools. Routledge. (Role of gymnastics in holistic child development). 2019.
American Alliance for Health, Physical Education, Recreation and Dance (AAHPERD). National Standards for Physical Education. AAHPERD Publications. (Standards for gymnastics and motor skill development). 2014.
Schenker, R. “Gymnastics for primary school children: A pedagogical analysis.” European Physical Education Review, 19(4), 560–575. (Teaching strategies and safety considerations). 2013.
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 GEJournals
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
