Concentration in Children Aged 8 to 10 Through the Implementation of a Hand-Eye Coordination Program in Table Tennis at Suazapawa Educational Institution, Nobsa-Boyacá

Abstract

This research falls within the area of sports training in educational settings. The objective of this study was to implement a hand-eye coordination program in table tennis as a means to improve concentration in children at the Suazapawa Educational Institution in Nobsa.

The study involved 50 participants, divided into two groups of 25 each. The first group, called the experimental group, belonged to fifth grade class C, while the second group, called the control group, belonged to fifth grade class D. Participants’ ages ranged from 9 to 11 years. The research used a quantitative approach with a quasi-experimental design. The evaluation instruments included the Toulouse Test to measure concentration and the ADS battery to assess sensorimotor development. These assessments were conducted at two points: a diagnostic pre-test and a final evaluation after a 16-week intervention implementing the hand-eye coordination program in table tennis.

Reliable techniques and instruments were used for data collection, analysis, and interpretation. Statistical analysis was conducted using IBM SPSS, with a 95% confidence level. Normality tests showed a normal distribution (p > 0.05), verified using the Shapiro-Wilk test. Subsequently, the Student’s t-test was applied to compare means between groups and between tests, and significance levels between evaluation moments were measured.

The results revealed a highly significant improvement in the experimental group compared to the control group after the program intervention. The study concluded that the program enhanced the participants’ concentration, progressing from motivational inhibition to normal traits and fine concentration. Additionally, sensorimotor development improved significantly, moving from regular to optimal results according to the standardized test benchmarks.