Document Detail


Fundamental movement skills among Australian preschool children.
MedLine Citation:
PMID:  19850520     Owner:  NLM     Status:  MEDLINE    
Abstract/OtherAbstract:
Early childhood is a critical period for the development of fundamental movement skills (FMS). Children who do not master FMS are more likely to experience failure in the motor domain and less likely to participate in sport and games during childhood and adolescence. Studies among primary school aged children report low levels of FMS mastery indicating the need to implement FMS programs during the preschool years. Cross-sectional study of 425 children attending preschools in the Sydney, Australia in 2008. FMS were assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 including locomotor (run, gallop, hop, horizontal jump) and object control (strike, catch, kick overhand throw) skills. Data were analysed using linear regression and chi-squared analyses. Total locomotor score was higher among girls compared with boys (p<0.00); however only the hop was significantly different (p=0.01). Boys had higher total (p<0.00) and individual object control scores compared with girls, except the catch (p=0.6). The prevalence of mastery differed across each FMS. Girls generally had higher mastery of locomotor skills and boys had higher mastery of object control skills. These findings highlight the need to provide structured opportunities which facilitate children's acquisition of FMS, which may include providing gender separated games, equipment and spaces. That mastery of FMS is low in primary school children indicates the importance of early intervention programs in preschools. Preschools and child care centers hold promise as a key setting for implementing FMS programs.
Authors:
Louise L Hardy; Lesley King; Louise Farrell; Rona Macniven; Sarah Howlett
Publication Detail:
Type:  Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't     Date:  2009-10-22
Journal Detail:
Title:  Journal of science and medicine in sport / Sports Medicine Australia     Volume:  13     ISSN:  1878-1861     ISO Abbreviation:  J Sci Med Sport     Publication Date:  2010 Sep 
Date Detail:
Created Date:  2010-08-16     Completed Date:  2010-12-08     Revised Date:  -    
Medline Journal Info:
Nlm Unique ID:  9812598     Medline TA:  J Sci Med Sport     Country:  Australia    
Other Details:
Languages:  eng     Pagination:  503-8     Citation Subset:  IM    
Affiliation:
Physical Activity, Nutrition and Obesity Research Group, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. louiseh@health.usyd.edu.au
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MeSH Terms
Descriptor/Qualifier:
Australia
Child
Child, Preschool
Cross-Sectional Studies
Female
Humans
Male
Motor Skills*
Sex Factors

From MEDLINE®/PubMed®, a database of the U.S. National Library of Medicine


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