Effects of a 6-Month Gymnastics Program on Somatotype and Motor Performance in Children Across Age Groups

NCT07614334 | Completed

• 1 other identifier: BanirmaOnyediEylulU
• Study Type: interventional
• Target: 144
• Locations: 1 country
• Sites: 1

Brief Summary

The study adopted a controlled 6-month study design to compare the gymnastics group (n= 56) with the inactive control group (n=88). Anthropometric profiling, somatotype assessment, and motor performance tests were conducted pre- and post-intervention

Conditions

Gymnastics Injury, Motor Learning, Balance

Keywords

Children; Gymnastics; Somatotype; Motor Performance

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (13)

• Circumferences (Girths) Measurements

  Girth measurements were taken to the nearest 0.1 cm using a flexible, non-stretchable anthropometric tape measure (Lufkin W606PM, Apex Tool Group). The measured girths included the head, neck, shoulder, chest, waist, hip, relaxed arm, forearm, thigh, maximum calf, and ankle circumferences. Care was taken to ensure the tape measure was at a right angle to the long axis of the body segment and did not compress the subcutaneous tissue.

  6 month

• Skinfold Thickness Measurements

  Skinfold thicknesses were measured to the nearest 0.1 mm using a Harpenden skinfold caliper (Baty International, West Sussex, UK). Measurements were taken in duplicate at nine standardized sites: triceps, subscapular, biceps, chest, axillary, abdominal, suprailiac, anterior thigh, and medial calf. If the difference between the first two measurements exceeded 5%, a third measurement was taken, and the median value was recorded for analysis. Furthermore, to obtain a comprehensive and robust quantification of total subcutaneous adiposity, the sum of all nine measured skinfolds (Σ9SF) was calculated. In pediatric kinanthropometry, the absolute sum of multiple skinfold sites is widely recognized as a highly reliable proxy for total body fatness, as it circumvents the inherent biological maturation errors and prediction biases associated with population-specific body density and body fat percentage equations.

  6 month

• Waist-to-Height Ratio

  Calculated by dividing waist circumference (cm) by standing height (cm). This ratio serves as a highly validated, age-independent proxy for central adiposity and health risk in pediatric populations.

  Six Month

• Segment Lengths and Bone Breadths Measurements

  Segment lengths (arm span, total arm, forearm, total leg, thigh, tibia, and foot lengths) were measured using a segmometer and anthropometric tape to the nearest 0.1 cm. Skeletal breadths were measured to the nearest 0.1 cm using a sliding spreading caliper. The breadth measurements included the shoulder, biacromial, biiliac, bitrochanteric, knee (biepicondylar femur), elbow (biepicondylar humerus), and wrist.

  Six Month

• Body Fat (BF) and Fat-Free Mass

  Relative body fat percentage (BF%) was estimated using the pediatric-specific skinfold equations developed by Slaughter et al. Specifically, this calculation utilized the sum of the triceps and subscapular skinfold thicknesses, adjusted for biological sex and maturation, which is considered the gold standard for clinical field assessments in youth. Subsequently, total body fat mass was determined, and absolute Fat-Free Mass (FFM in kg) was calculated by subtracting this estimated fat mass from the total body mass.

  six month

• Skeletal Muscle Mass

  Total skeletal muscle mass (kg) was estimated by employing validated anthropometric prediction models for children and adolescents, which account for standing height as well as corrected limb girths (i.e., thigh, calf, and arm circumferences that have been corrected for their respective overlying subcutaneous adipose tissue thicknesses).

  six month

• Arm Muscle Area

  AMA was calculated to estimate regional upper-body muscularity and protein reserves. AMA (cm²) was derived from relaxed arm girth (cm) and triceps skinfold thickness (cm) using the standard anthropometric equation

  six month

• Somatotype

  The anthropometric somatotype components, namely endomorphy, mesomorphy, and ectomorphy, were calculated according to the Heath-Carter method \[17, 24\]. Endomorphy was estimated based on the height-adjusted sum of three skinfold thicknesses: triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac.

  six month

• Motor Performance Tests

  Flexibility (Sit and Reach Test): Lower-Body Explosive Power: Muscular Endurance: Speed (20-m Sprint):

  six month

• Body Composition

  Endomorphy was estimated based on the height-adjusted sum of three skinfold thicknesses: triceps, subscapular, and suprailiac. Mesomorphy was determined using humerus (elbow) breadth, femur (knee) breadth, height, and corrected limb girths. Corrected arm girth (CAG) and corrected calf girth (CCG) were adjusted for the corresponding skinfold thicknesses. Ectomorphy was derived from the Height-Weight Ratio (HWR), which was calculated as height divided by the cube root of body mass.

  6 months

• Weight

  Participants were assessed barefoot and wearing minimal clothing. Participants' body weight was measured using a Seca (Seca GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) scale with an accuracy of 0.1 kg.

  6 Month

• Height

  Participants' height was measured using a Seca (Seca GmbH, Hamburg, Germany) stadiometer with an accuracy of 0.1 cm.

  6 month

• Body Mass Index

  Participants' body mass indices (BMI) were calculated using the weight/height² formula (kg/m² ).

  6 month

Study Arms (2)

Experimental Group

EXPERIMENTAL

Other: Gymnastic Exercise

Control Group

NO INTERVENTION

Interventions

Gymnastic Exercise OTHER

Gymnastic Training for six month

Experimental Group

Eligibility Criteria

• Age: 4 Years - 12 Years
• Sex: all
• Healthy Volunteers: Yes
• Age Groups: Child (0-17)

You may qualify if:

• For Experimental Group: Active and continuous participation in a gymnastics program during the entire 6-month period.
• Inactive control group : comprised participants who did not practice any form of sports, athletics, and physical training outside their usual physical education classes at school.

You may not qualify if:

• the presence of any chronic metabolic, cardiovascular, and endocrine disorders;
• a history of severe musculoskeletal injuries and orthopedic surgeries within the past year;
• the use of medications known to have a significant impact on body composition and physical performance; and
• an attendance rate of less than 85% for the gymnastics sessions (only for the intervention group).

Sponsors & Collaborators

• Bandırma Onyedi Eylül University: lead

Study Sites (1)

Kazakh National University of Sports

Astana, Kazakhstan

Location

Study Design

• Study Type: interventional
• Phase: not applicable
• Allocation: RANDOMIZED
• Masking: SINGLE
• Who Masked: PARTICIPANT
• Purpose: TREATMENT
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Sponsor Type: OTHER
• Responsible Party: PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
• PI Title: Assoc. Prof.

Study Record Dates

• First Submitted: May 5, 2026
• First Posted: May 29, 2026
• Study Start: January 1, 2025
• Primary Completion: June 1, 2025
• Study Completion: June 1, 2025
• Last Updated: May 29, 2026

Record last verified: 2025-01

Data Sharing

• IPD Sharing: Will share

Locations

KA (1)