Motor knowledge is considered the basis for all complex movements, from daily physical activity to specific sports knowledge. Higher level of motor skills is associated with higher physical activity of children and with many health benefits, especially with a reduced risk of obesity. The aim of this study was to determine the differences in motor skills in preschool children involved in organized exercise programs (multilateral sports programs, school of football, school of rhythmic gymnastics) and children that are not enrolled into organized exercising.

The study was conducted on a sample of preschool children (n=78), average age of 5.30±1.14years. To assess the level of acquired motor skills set of 12 tests were used in order to evaluate locomotor and object control skills known as “Test of Gross Motor Development-Second Edition - TGMD-2”.

Results showed significant differences in motor skills between untrained children and children who exercise (P<0.05). Furthermore, significant differences were found between different exercise programs (P<0.05), specifically, children involved in the multilateral sports program achieved the best results in tests of object control motor skills. Physical activity of parents seems to be slightly related to the level of motor skills of children. Based on the results it can be concluded that children enrolled in organized exercising programs achieve better results in the measures of motor development then children who do not exercise. Organized exercise within the multilateral sports schools based on different physical activities can be recommended as the best form of exercise for preschool children and shows certain advantages over the more specific programs of school of rhythmic gymnastics and school of football.

Programs that are offered to preschool children and their parents should be well-planed and include multilateral development exercises to avoid early specialization consequences on motor skills of children.