Title: The Impact of Developmental Gymnastics on Children's Motor Abilities
Authors: Slavi?a Maksimovi?
Dalibor Fulurija
Volume: 10
Issue: 6
Pages: 133-138
Publication Date: 2026/06/28
Abstract:
The aim of this systematic review was to examine the effects of developmental gymnastics on motor abilities in preschool children. The review was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines, with a literature search performed in the PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases. Out of 142 identified studies, ten met the inclusion criteria, involving children aged 4-7 years and gymnastic interventions focused on strength, balance, coordination, agility, and flexibility. The included studies applied structured training programs with clearly defined duration, frequency, and intensity, as well as standardized motor assessment methods. The findings indicate that developmental, rhythmic, artistic, and creative gymnastics significantly improve gross and fine motor skills, coordination, balance, and overall motor proficiency. Short-term interventions (approximately 8 weeks) improve basic locomotor skills and balance, while longer programs (3-9 months) produce greater gains in strength, coordination, and gymnastic-specific abilities. Combined and age-appropriate gymnastic programs show higher effectiveness. The results confirm that developmental gymnastics is an effective approach for improving motor development in preschool children and can be successfully implemented in preschool and physical education settings.