Abstract:

Motor learning is the set of internal processes related to practice, and the motor experience that produce permanent changes in the motor skills of students, these changes must prevail over time. In this line, Physical Education has an important role as an agent facilitator of motor experiences and opportunities ranging from basic motor activities to more complex ones. The practice of some sports disciplines such as gymnastic and acrobatic skills at an early age can enable children to experience motor exercises in situations of body rotation, inversion and sustainability that favor better postural control. The aim of this study was to analyze gender differences over three academic years in the level achieved in two basic acrobatic skills after previous stages of training by students in the Sciences of Physical Activity and Sport (SPAS) degree program. This study has a descriptive, quantitative, and inferential design. The sample consisted of 250 first-year Spanish university students. They were enrolled from academic years 2015–2016 to 2017–2018 in the subject of Gymnastic and artistic skills, part of the first course of the SPAS degree. The instruments used for diagnostic evaluation of skill were a video camera and two observation templates, to evaluate two basic stunts: cartwheel and handstand. The templates described the technical phases and specified of the phase of movement, with a total value of 10 points for the acrobatic element. The results show that the students, in general, have an insufficient level of technical performance in both stunts and no gender differences were found. The phases of the acrobatics that require extension of the different body segments, as well as movements that require coordination and stability in the descending phases of the acrobatics, were the most deficient, with women being the most flexible in these phases. These results indicate that the Physical Education subject could be addressing the contents associated with gymnastic disciplines in a deficient manner with a downward trend of not only the development of sports skills but also physical abilities such as flexibility and strength.

Keywords:

gymnastics competence, motor control, physical education, university students