Published on: 2026-10-18
Source: Moscow Government – Правительства Москвы –
An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.
Father’s Day, established by a decree of the President of Russia, is celebrated this year on October 18 — the third Sunday of October. Sports is one of those fields where a father can help a child develop not only relevant skills but also character traits such as perseverance, discipline, and the ability to win and lose. And to help parents choose the right direction for their children, the city program “Choose Sport” operates in Moscow.
It was developed by the Center for Sports Innovation Technologies and National Team Training (CSTiSK), where free testing is conducted for children aged six to twelve. It lasts about an hour. Based on more than 30 indicators, specialists determine the child’s predisposition to specific sports. Such diagnostics are suitable both for children planning a professional career or enrollment in sports schools, and for those looking for a section for general development near their home.
It is important to be physically active from an early age. At three to four years old, specialists recommend developing general motor skills and maintaining interest in physical activity through play-based exercises. From five to seven years old, more organized training sessions that include elements of various sports become possible. A variety of activities promotes the harmonious development of the child, reduces the risk of injuries, prevents emotional burnout, and allows choosing a direction based on interests. At the same time, an objective assessment of physical qualities and the potential of a prospective athlete can be made from six years old. Before this age, tests are not always reliable, as children vary greatly in their development pace and level of attention.
Comprehensive testing
During comprehensive testing, experts examine psychophysiological characteristics such as reaction speed, attention stability, memory capacity, and temperament type. For this purpose, the Schulte table, visual-motor reaction methods, and the “Geometric Matrices” test are used. In addition, anthropometric data are recorded: height, weight, proportions, and body type, body mass index, and lung vital capacity is measured using a spirometer. To assess sports potential, indicators of strength, speed, flexibility, and coordination are studied. Vestibular system stability is checked on a stabiloplatform, and the cardiovascular system’s response to exertion is determined through the Ruffier test with heart rate measurement.
The main goal of the diagnostics is not to determine one specific sport, but the general abilities of the child. The obtained data are compared with the requirements of various sports disciplines. In the final analysis, specialists take into account not only the test results but also age, motivation, and existing sports experience. There are no restrictions on the number of visits. To track individual dynamics and assess progress, it is recommended to undergo testing once every 6–12 months. This allows comparing current results with past indicators and adjusting the training process if necessary.
You can sign up for testing at official website CSTiSK. To undergo testing, the child’s legal representative must present a passport, the minor’s birth certificate, and a medical certificate about the child’s health issued no more than 14 days ago. The child must be dressed comfortably and have a change of sportswear.
The events are being implemented by the capital’s Department of Sports. They correspond to the goals of the state programs of the Russian Federation “Development of Physical Culture and Sports” and “Sport of Russia” and the information campaign “Motivation for Sports and Promotion of Sports Infrastructure.” One of their goals is to increase the proportion of citizens regularly engaged in physical culture and sports to 70 percent by 2030. In the capital, special attention is paid to the location of infrastructure near homes, support for families with children, as well as the integration of participants and veterans of the special military operation and their family members into the sports community. More about Russia’s national projects and the capital’s contribution can be found at special page.
To find out how the capital has changed over the past years, what initiatives aimed at making the lives of city residents even more comfortable are currently being implemented, and what awaits Moscow and its inhabitants in the near future, you can explore the comprehensive special project on the portal mos.ru, dedicated to the development of key sectors of Moscow. Among them are transport, industry, healthcare, education, sports, and construction.
On the project page “Sport” Information is presented about the reconstruction of dozens of historic sports facilities, including the Luzhniki Olympic complex, the Vorobyovy Gory ski complex, and the Bitza equestrian complex, as well as about sports infrastructure available to every city resident.
Quickly get the main news on the official Moscow city channels in messengers “Max” and “Telegram”.
Please note; This information is raw content obtained directly from the information source. It represents an accurate report of what the source claims and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.