Aerobics enhances cardiovascular fitness and agility in preschoolers

Health Psychol. 1990;9(1):48-56. doi: 10.1037//0278-6133.9.1.48.

Abstract

Investigated effects of aerobic exercise on a sample of 24 preschoolers. Thirty minutes of aerobic exercises were provided daily for a period of 8 weeks for a group of 12 children while the remaining 12 children engaged in freeplay on the school playground. The children were given pretests and posttests on the following measures: a submaximal exercise test on a pediatric bicycle (baseline and three workloads), an agility test, a health knowledge test, a self-esteem scale, and an observational measure of their gross-motor activity. Despite comparability on pretests, significant group X repeated measures effects suggested that the aerobic exercise group showed decreases in heart rate at all three workloads as well as increases in agility and self-esteem following the exercise program. These findings suggest that cardiovascular fitness, agility, and self-esteem can be facilitated in preschoolers by an aerobic exercise program.

Publication types

  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Arousal*
  • Attitude to Health
  • Child Development*
  • Child, Preschool
  • Exercise Test
  • Exercise*
  • Humans
  • Motor Activity
  • Motor Skills*
  • Physical Fitness*
  • Play and Playthings
  • Self Concept