Abstract

The study aimed to compare Motor Coordination and Body Mass Index in schoolchildren who participate only in Physical education classes with those who also participate in extracurricular sports. The study was cross-sectional, descriptive, and comparative. The sample was made up of 96 schoolchildren (41 girls and 55 boys, 11.7 +/- 0.7 years). Height and body weight were measured. Body Mass Index (BMI) was calculated. The evaluation of MC was performed with the Korperkoordinations test Fur Kinder (KTK). The results revealed significant differences between the Extracurricular Sports Group (GDEX) and the Physical Education Group (GEF), in One-legged hopping for height, Lateral Transposition, KTK total score (p<0.01) and Lateral Jumps (p<0.05), with effect size (ES) "moderate" (d= 0.40 to 0.66). Likewise, the GDEX schoolchildren showed better values with respect to the GEF in Body Weight (p<0.05), and BMI (p<0.01), ES "moderate" (d= -0.49 and -0.54; respectively). It is concluded that schoolchildren who participate in extracurricular sports have better levels of Motor Coordination, BMI, and body weight than those who only participate in Physical education classes.