Physical education, motor development and physical activity in preschool children: a systematic review

Objective: to carry out a systematic review to identify characteristics, activities and components most used in physical education intervention programs or physical activity programs, which seek to improve gross motor development and promote physical activity in preschool children. Methods: systematic review limited to quasi-experimental and experimental studies carried out in preschool children. A search was carried out in the scientific databases PubMed, DOAJ and ERIC, with a result of 1,117 articles, adjusting 12 studies to the inclusion criteria. To identify quality, the instrument established by Downs & Black was used. Results: in the reviewed studies, it is highlighted that, in most cases, two sessions were held per week, lasting more than 30 minutes, and interventions lasting 8 to 36 weeks. In general, most of the reviewed studies included specific activities to work on gross motor development, such as games, sports, circuits, physical activity, dance, free, structured and semi-structured games. Conclusions: to increase the levels of physical activity and improve the performance of the fundamental motor skills of preschool children, it is important to carry out structured activities mainly, if possible, outdoors, with a minimum of 80 to 150 minutes per week, two sessions per week.