Fundamental Movement Skills of Preschool Children in Northwest England

Abstract

This cross-sectional study examined fundamental movement skill competency among deprived preschool children in Northwest England and explored sex differences. A total of 168 preschool children (ages 3–5 yr.) were included in the study. Twelve skills were assessed using the Children's Activity and Movement in Preschool Motor Skills Protocol and video analysis. Sex differences were explored at the subtest, skill, and component levels. Overall competence was found to be low among both sexes, although it was higher for locomotor skills than for object-control skills. Similar patterns were observed at the component level. Boys had significantly better object-control skills than girls, with greater competence observed for the kick and overarm throw, while girls were more competent at the run, hop, and gallop. The findings of low competency suggest that developmentally appropriate interventions should be implemented in preschool settings to promote movement skills, with targeted activities for boys and girls.

Fundamental motor skills of Czech children at the end of the preschool period

“…In terms of gender differentiation, 81.6% of girls scored at or below the 50 th percentile, in comparison to 64% of boys. Generally, these results reflect recent findings about the low level of FMS proficiency in preschool children (Foulkes et al, 2015;Hardy et al, 2009;LeGear et al, 2012). The poor level of FMS proficiency found in our study becomes more important because some studies have found that higher FMS proficiency in childhood results in a higher level of physical activity during adolescence (Barnett et al, 2009;Barnett, van Beurden, Morgan, Brooks, & Beard, 2010).…”

“…Temple, Crane, Brown, Williams, and Bell (2016) suggested that young boys and girls may already have different physical activity preferences, which perhaps lead to differences in motor skills proficiency. Although there are often no differences, by gender, in terms of total FMS test scores, boys and girls often have different levels of specific subtest scores in locomotor, object control and balance skills (see Foulkes et al, 2015;Hardy et al, 2009;Kokštejn, Musálek, & Tufano, 2017). Generally, better object control skills have been found in boys (Foulkes et al, 2015;Hardy et al, 2009;Kokštejn et al, 2017;Livesey, Coleman, & Piek, 2007;Spessatto, Gabbard, Valentini, & Rudisill, 2013).…”

“…Although there are often no differences, by gender, in terms of total FMS test scores, boys and girls often have different levels of specific subtest scores in locomotor, object control and balance skills (see Foulkes et al, 2015;Hardy et al, 2009;Kokštejn, Musálek, & Tufano, 2017). Generally, better object control skills have been found in boys (Foulkes et al, 2015;Hardy et al, 2009;Kokštejn et al, 2017;Livesey, Coleman, & Piek, 2007;Spessatto, Gabbard, Valentini, & Rudisill, 2013). Conversely, girls' locomotor proficiency has more often been reported as higher than boys (Barnett, Morgan, van Beurden, & Beard, 2008;Hardy et al, 2009;van Beurden, Zask, Barnett, & Dietrich, 2002).…”

Literature Review on Motor Skill and Physical Activity in Preschool Children in New Zealand

“…Object control skills are those that involve manipulation of an object, for example throwing, catching and kicking (Barnett et al, 2008a). Locomotor and object control skills are considered to be fundamental for future movement and engagement in later-life physical activity (Foulkes et al, 2013). Numerous studies have found relationships between motor development, fundamental movement proficiency and physical activity behaviors (Barnett et al, 2008a;Barnett et al, 2009;Barnett et al, 2008b;Okely et al, 2001;Piek et al, 2006;Ridgway et al, 2009).…”

Improvement of balance of children with disorder of motor function by means of adapted physiotherapy

“…Some authors note that the basic motor movements develop from the second year until the seventh years of age [9,10]. However, the specific motor abilities are acquired in the seventh through the eleventh years of life [11].…”