Fundamental Motor Skills in 6- to 8-Year-Old Children: A School-Based Movement Skill Intervention.

BACKGROUND

Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are essential for children's overall development and lifelong engagement in physical activity. Limited exposure to FMS during early childhood is associated with delayed motor development, potentially hindering successful participation in sport and healthy lifestyle practices.

METHODS

This study aimed to enhance the FMS of 6- to 8-year-old children through a self-designed gross motor intervention to promote future physical activity engagement. Using a quantitative research approach and a quasi-experimental design, a convenience sample of 118 children from a primary school in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, South Africa was selected. Participants were randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 67) and a control group (n = 51). Pretesting and posttesting were conducted using the Test for Gross Motor Development, Third Edition.

RESULTS

Following a 6-week school-based intervention, results showed that the experimental group exhibited significant improvements in locomotor skills particularly in running, galloping, hopping, skipping, jumping, and sliding compared with the control group. Enhanced object control skills were also observed, notably in 2-hand striking and overhand throwing. However, no significant changes were found in dribbling, catching, and underhand throwing.

CONCLUSION

The study underscores the need for ongoing research and tailored interventions to optimize FMS development in young children, encouraging lifelong participation in physical activity.