The Effect of Core Stability Training on Fundamental Motor Skills in Over-weight and Obese Girls

Background: Childhood is the most important stage in development, and overweight and obesity during this period can affect the development of fundamental motor skills that are the basis of more complex sports skills and performances. The purpose of the present research is to investigate the effect of core stability training on fundamental motor skills on over-weight and obese girls.

Methods: This research is of quasi-experimental type. After school selection randomly and after initial screening, 30 girl’s student of 7 years (15 in the experimental group and 15 in the control group) were selected who were in the obese and overweight categories based on body mass index. Students' Object Control and locomotor skills in pre-test and post-test were assessed using Gross Motor Development Test 2 (TGMD2). The method of the present study was experimental and its design was pretest-posttest with a control group.

Results: Oneway analysis of covariance showed that core stability exercises can improve the fundamental motor skills of overweight and obese students.

Conclusions: According to the findings of this study, by designing and implementing core stability exercises in primary schools, it is possible to help improve the fundamental motor skills (locomotor and ball skills) of children, especially children with motor deficits due to overweight and obesity.