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Article

A Multimodal Physical Program Combining Abacus Use and Exercise to Improve Motor Coordination and Flexibility in Primary School Children

by
María del Carmen Carcelén-Fraile
1,
Agustín Aibar-Almazán
2,*,
Alba Rusillo-Magdaleno
3 and
Alberto Ruiz-Ariza
3
1
Department of Educational Sciences, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Atlantico Medio, 35017 Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, Spain
2
Department of Health Sciences, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain
3
Faculty of Educational Sciences, University of Jaen, 23071 Jaen, Spain
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10(3), 255; https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030255
Submission received: 4 May 2025 / Revised: 27 June 2025 / Accepted: 3 July 2025 / Published: 5 July 2025
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Tailoring Physical Activity for the Health and Development of Children and Adolescents)
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Abstract

Background: During early childhood, physical development plays a critical role in overall growth, influencing not only health but also academic and social outcomes. In this context, the present randomized controlled trial aims to analyze the effects of a combined intervention using physical exercise and abacus training on flexibility and motor coordination in early primary school children. Methods: A total of 82 girls and boys participated in this study, of which 41 belonged to the experimental group that carried out a combined training of physical exercise and the use of an abacus for 12 weeks and 41 to a control group that did not receive any intervention. Flexibility was measured with the Sit and Reach test and motor coordination with the motor coordination test. Results: In this study, statistically significant improvements were observed in flexibility in both the right and left legs and in all domains related to motor coordination in the training group. Conclusions: The results of this study support the effectiveness of a multidimensional approach that integrates physical and cognitive activities, such as the use of the abacus, to improve coordination and flexibility in children, contributing to comprehensive development in early childhood education.
Keywords: physical exercise; abacus; flexibility; motor coordination; children physical exercise; abacus; flexibility; motor coordination; children
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MDPI and ACS Style

Carcelén-Fraile, M.d.C.; Aibar-Almazán, A.; Rusillo-Magdaleno, A.; Ruiz-Ariza, A. A Multimodal Physical Program Combining Abacus Use and Exercise to Improve Motor Coordination and Flexibility in Primary School Children. J. Funct. Morphol. Kinesiol. 2025, 10, 255. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030255

AMA Style

Carcelén-Fraile MdC, Aibar-Almazán A, Rusillo-Magdaleno A, Ruiz-Ariza A. A Multimodal Physical Program Combining Abacus Use and Exercise to Improve Motor Coordination and Flexibility in Primary School Children. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology. 2025; 10(3):255. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030255

Chicago/Turabian Style

Carcelén-Fraile, María del Carmen, Agustín Aibar-Almazán, Alba Rusillo-Magdaleno, and Alberto Ruiz-Ariza. 2025. "A Multimodal Physical Program Combining Abacus Use and Exercise to Improve Motor Coordination and Flexibility in Primary School Children" Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology 10, no. 3: 255. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030255

APA Style

Carcelén-Fraile, M. d. C., Aibar-Almazán, A., Rusillo-Magdaleno, A., & Ruiz-Ariza, A. (2025). A Multimodal Physical Program Combining Abacus Use and Exercise to Improve Motor Coordination and Flexibility in Primary School Children. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 10(3), 255. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030255

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