Search

INTRODUCTION In Italy popular courtyard games have always been a favourite pastime for all children(1). Up to 20 years ago they practise these games spontaneously and joyfully in the playgrounds in afternoon leisure time. The most popular and well-known of these games (although they may be called different names around Italy) are “Nascondino” (Hide and Seek), “ Prendersi” (Touch me),“Palla prigioniera” (ball in the jail), “Mosca cieca”(blind fly),“Giro tondo”(Turn in round), “Campana”(Bell), “ Cavallina”(Small horse). The characteristics of these forms of play are: adaptable and non-structured environments, the presence of flexible and negotiable rules and the adaptability to the numbers of participants. These games have always been considered important because they are spontaneous and enjoyable and encourage the morphological, motor, intellectual and social growth of the children. The study shows how these games, which have been handed down from grandparent to parent to grandchild, have been slowly decreasing or even disappearing over the last two generations. METHODS In 2008 a questionnaire was carried out on the parents of 398 children from 3 to 5 years living in a country town in the North of Italy (192 males and 196 females). The questionnaire included not only questions regarding their children (Children group = G3) but also two additional sections of questions about themselves (Parents group = G2) and the children’s grandparents (Grandparents group= G1). The questionnaires, in all age groups, included the type of games that were most played (F1), the analysis of the places where they were played (F2), the number of players (F3) and the amount of leisure time devoted to the games (F4). The data was collected using the Likert scale and analysed using the statistical method SPSS comparing the 3 groups (G1, G2 e G3) and the four factors quoted above (F1, F2, F3 and F4). RESULTS The results of the questionnaire show clearly that the games played by children today

INTRODUCTION : Among the most common gross-motor abilities running, jumping and throwing have been considered some of the most important fundamental motor skills (FMS).Their development, 30 years ago,was guaranteed and performed throught a natural and active life style.Today the scholastic sport activitie and the structured extra scholastic sport activities are not enough to guarantee quantity and quality of motor development of our preadolescents. The study shows how since the late 1970s one can see a progressive motor impoverishment related to the principal gross-motor abilities(1),caused by the diminution of movement opportunities for our children(2)and by the advent of computers,cellular telephones and electronic static games. METHODS :In the year 1976 a test battery was proposed to 1000 students.The same test battery was proposed to 500 students in 2007.The data have been collected through the scholastic system by submitting tests during PE lessons after a 20 minutes warm-up.Test battery: Speed run (boys mt.80; girls mt.60), Endurance run(mt.1000), Long Jump, High jump, precision throw (Basket drought) and strength throw (one hand throwing of a little ball), twine-skip test and pole-climb test. RESULTS :After 30 years significant differences have been noticed in the weight, in the height and in the Body Mass Index. Today boys and girls are taller and heavier and we can also notice a marked increase in BMI.All data have been compared with NCHS Growth Charts(3). In all tests we noticed a loss of ability. These differencies are more evident in endurance and power abilities than in precision tasks. Regarding the gender, these difference are more evident in the girls (increase average of failure 18,59 %) than the in boys (increase average of failure 15,31 %). Differences among the participants according to their ages and birth date were analysed with Pearson’s Chi-square test and statistical significance have been confirmed by the O.R.(odds ratio) values. DISCUSSION

INTRODUCTION In Italy popular courtyard games have always been a favourite pastime for all children(1). Up to 20 years ago they practise these games spontaneously and joyfully in the playgrounds in afternoon leisure time. The most popular and well-known of these games (although they may be called different names around Italy) are “Nascondino” (Hide and Seek), “ Prendersi” (Touch me),“Palla prigioniera” (ball in the jail), “Mosca cieca”(blind fly),“Giro tondo”(Turn in round), “Campana”(Bell), “ Cavallina”(Small horse). The characteristics of these forms of play are: adaptable and non-structured environments, the presence of flexible and negotiable rules and the adaptability to the numbers of participants. These games have always been considered important because they are spontaneous and enjoyable and encourage the morphological, motor, intellectual and social growth of the children. The study shows how these games, which have been handed down from grandparent to parent to grandchild, have been slowly decreasing or even disappearing over the last two generations. METHODS In 2008 a questionnaire was carried out on the parents of 398 children from 3 to 5 years living in a country town in the North of Italy (192 males and 196 females). The questionnaire included not only questions regarding their children (Children group = G3) but also two additional sections of questions about themselves (Parents group = G2) and the children’s grandparents (Grandparents group= G1). The questionnaires, in all age groups, included the type of games that were most played (F1), the analysis of the places where they were played (F2), the number of players (F3) and the amount of leisure time devoted to the games (F4). The data was collected using the Likert scale and analysed using the statistical method SPSS comparing the 3 groups (G1, G2 e G3) and the four factors quoted above (F1, F2, F3 and F4). RESULTS The results of the questionnaire show clearly that the games played by children today

INTRODUCTION : Among the most common gross-motor abilities running, jumping and throwing have been considered some of the most important fundamental motor skills (FMS).Their development, 30 years ago,was guaranteed and performed throught a natural and active life style.Today the scholastic sport activitie and the structured extra scholastic sport activities are not enough to guarantee quantity and quality of motor development of our preadolescents. The study shows how since the late 1970s one can see a progressive motor impoverishment related to the principal gross-motor abilities(1),caused by the diminution of movement opportunities for our children(2)and by the advent of computers,cellular telephones and electronic static games. METHODS :In the year 1976 a test battery was proposed to 1000 students.The same test battery was proposed to 500 students in 2007.The data have been collected through the scholastic system by submitting tests during PE lessons after a 20 minutes warm-up.Test battery: Speed run (boys mt.80; girls mt.60), Endurance run(mt.1000), Long Jump, High jump, precision throw (Basket drought) and strength throw (one hand throwing of a little ball), twine-skip test and pole-climb test. RESULTS :After 30 years significant differences have been noticed in the weight, in the height and in the Body Mass Index. Today boys and girls are taller and heavier and we can also notice a marked increase in BMI.All data have been compared with NCHS Growth Charts(3). In all tests we noticed a loss of ability. These differencies are more evident in endurance and power abilities than in precision tasks. Regarding the gender, these difference are more evident in the girls (increase average of failure 18,59 %) than the in boys (increase average of failure 15,31 %). Differences among the participants according to their ages and birth date were analysed with Pearson’s Chi-square test and statistical significance have been confirmed by the O.R.(odds ratio) values. DISCUSSION