Vertical jump without arm swing and running biomechanics in preschool children (3–6 years) : associations and developmental insights

Gregorc, Jera (avtor), Ljubičić, Sanja (avtor), Petrić, Vilko (avtor)

This study examined associations between vertical jump without arm swing and running biomechanics in 405 preschool children aged 3–6 years (53.5% girls) from kindergartens in Slovenia and Croatia. Vertical jump (CMJ) and 10-metre sprint performances were assessed using the OptoJump system, which captured temporal and spatial parameters, from which additional performance indices were derived. No significant sex differences were observed in jumping, while boys demonstrated higher running speed, shorter stride and swing times, and shorter ground contact phases. Moderate correlations were found between jump height, flight time, reactive strength index, and running speed, step length, and foot-ground contact duration, indicating shared biomechanical and functional mechanisms between jumping and running already present in early childhood. Individual variability was pronounced, highlighting the importance of personalized movement activities over sexbased differentiation. The findings suggest that activities targeting jumping mechanics may simultaneously support running efficiency, contributing to integrated locomotor skill development in preschool children. Limitations include the cross-sectional design and partial sprint measurement.

• Jezik: Angleški jezik
• Ključne besede: fundamental motor skills, locomotor development, preschool children, reactive strength index, running biomechanics, vertical jump
• Vrsta gradiva: Članek v reviji
• Tipologija: 1.01 - Izvirni znanstveni članek
• Organizacija: PEF - Pedagoška fakulteta
• Status publikacije: Objavljeno
• Različica publikacije: Objavljena publikacija
• Leto izida: 2026
• Št. strani: 8 str.
• Številčenje: Vol. 8, art. 1819016
• PID: 20.500.12556/RUL-182515
• UDK: 373.2:796.4
• ISSN pri članku: 2624-9367
• DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2026.1819016
• COBISS.SI-ID: 278160131
• Datum objave v RUL: 14.05.2026

Gradivo je del revije

• Naslov: Frontiers in sports and active living
• Skrajšan naslov: Front. sports act. living
• Založnik: Frontiers Media S.A.
• ISSN: 2624-9367
• COBISS.SI-ID: 5650865

Licence

• Licenca: CC BY 4.0, Creative Commons Priznanje avtorstva 4.0 Mednarodna
• Povezava: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/deed.sl
• Opis: To je standardna licenca Creative Commons, ki daje uporabnikom največ možnosti za nadaljnjo uporabo dela, pri čemer morajo navesti avtorja.

Sekundarni jezik

• Jezik: Slovenski jezik
• Ključne besede: osnovne motorične sposobnosti, gibalni razvoj, moč, biomehanika, vertikalni skok, tek, predšolski otroci