Physical fitness of primary school children in the reflection of different levels of gross motor coordination

Ingrid Ruzbarska

Physical fitness of primary school children in the reflection of different levels of gross motor coordination

Číslo: 4/2016
Periodikum: Acta Gymnica
DOI: 10.5507/ag.2016.018

Klíčová slova: psychomotor competence, primary education, childhood, KTK test, psychomotorická způsobilost, základní vzdělávání, dětství, KTK test

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Anotace: Background: Lower level of motor competences may result in unsuccessful engaging of children in physical activities as early as pre-school age and also prepubescent ages. This may subsequently lead to a spiral of forming negative attitudes towards an active lifestyle and may be accompanied by a negative trend in weight status and physical fitness outcomes.

Objective: The aim of the study was to identify and analyze differences in physical fitness and somatic parameters of primary school-aged children according to level of their gross motor coordination.

Methods:  A sample of 436 children aged 7 to 10 years, of which were 222 girls and 214 boys, performed physical fitness tests - Eurofit test battery. The level of motor coordination was assessed using the test battery Körperkoordination-Test-für-Kinder (KTK). The anthropometric data (body mass, body height, sum of five skinfolds) were measured. The one-way ANOVA was used to assess differences in physical fitness test items and anthropometry parameters between children with normal motor quotient (MQ ≥ 86) and decreased levels of gross motor coordination (MQ ≤ 85).

Results: Research findings indicate a strongly negative trend in physical development of children with motor deficits (MQ ≤ 85). The results of ANOVA revealed significantly less favourable level of most of the assessed physical fitness parameters in children with decreased level of motor coordination.

Conclusions: The findings suggest that physical fitness outcomes of primary school-aged children are associated with a lower level of motor coordination. Motor coordination probably plays an important role in preventing, or moderating the so-called negative trajectory leading to childhood overweight or obesity.