Multisport vs. Single-Sport Training and Motor Coordination in Children: A Quasi-Experimental Pre-Post Comparison.

Background

This study aimed to compare changes in motor coordination associated with two different motor practice models-multisport and single-sport soccer training-in children, without implying causal effects of one training context over the other.

Methods

A quasi-experimental pre-post study (T0-T1) was conducted over 10 weeks in non-randomized, pre-existing groups. A total of 143 children (mean age: 6.21 ± 0.55 years; 107 males) were allocated to a Multisport Group (MG; n = 79) and a Single-sport Group (SG; n = 64). Motor coordination was assessed using the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK), and raw scores (RAW SCORE) were used for analysis. Statistical analyses included t-tests, change-score (Δ) and effect-size analyses, and two-way repeated-measures ANOVA.

Results

Both groups showed significant improvements over time (p < 0.001; d = 0.75 for MG, d = 0.77 for SG). However, the MG showed significantly greater improvements than the SG (Δ = 16.68 ± 6.14 vs. 12.28 ± 4.08; p < 0.001; d = 0.83). At T1, the SG still showed slightly higher absolute RAW SCORE values than the MG (p = 0.049; d = -0.33), although this between-group difference was markedly reduced compared to baseline (d = -0.59). The ANOVA revealed a very large effect of Time (F(1,141) = 1092.31, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.886), a small-to-medium effect of Group (F(1,141) = 7.51, p = 0.007, η2p = 0.051), and a large Time × Group interaction (F(1,141) = 24.18, p < 0.001, η2p = 0.146). A sensitivity analysis (ANCOVA) confirmed that, after adjusting for baseline scores, sex, and anthropometric variables, the Multisport group showed significantly higher adjusted T1 scores than the Single-sport group (adjusted mean difference = 3.96 points, 95% CI: 1.93-5.99), reversing the direction observed in the unadjusted T1 comparison. Given the non-randomized design and baseline group differences, findings reflect observed associations rather than causal effects.

Conclusions

Both practice models were associated with improved motor coordination, with multisport participation associated with greater observed change over 10 weeks. These findings are consistent with a possible role of diversified motor experiences in coordination development, though this study cannot establish causality.