Evaluation of the effects of specific karate exercises during multilateral training in children of primary school

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of specific karate exercises added during a program of multilateral exercises in school age children. A sample of 82 primary school children (39 females, 6.4 ± 0.3 y and 43 males, 6.3 ± 0.3 y) were randomly assigned to four groups: They played sessions of 60 minutes, twice a week, for eight weeks. During this activities the MG groups played only multilateral activities, while the SG groups have also done specific exercises of basic Karate. At the beginning and at the end of the training period the groups were subjected to standardised tests for physical evaluation and the results was statistically analyzed (ANOVA). The results seem to confirm the fact that the multilateral activities would be sufficient to improve motor skills in primary school children, although some neuromotor abilities could be improved through more specific exercises without creating particular damage.