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Intra and Inter Skill Changes in Preschoolers Fundamental Motor Skills

Jerraco L Johnson1, Emily Jenkins1, Katie Breault1

  • 1Department of Kinesiology, Health Promotion, and Recreation, University of North Texas, Denton, TX, USA.

Journal of Motor Behavior
|March 20, 2025
PubMed

Insights

This study found that a mastery motivational climate intervention improved fundamental motor skills in preschoolers. Girls excelled in locomotor skills, while boys showed greater gains in throwing.

Area of Science:

  • Child Development
  • Motor Learning
  • Sports Science

Background:

  • Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are crucial for children's physical activity and long-term health.
  • Early childhood is a critical period for developing FMS.
  • Interventions can positively impact FMS mastery.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To examine changes in preschoolers' FMS mastery following a mastery motivational climate (MMC) intervention.
  • To describe inter- and intra-skill changes in FMS across different skill types and sexes.

Main Methods:

  • A sample of 56 preschoolers (aged 4.5 years) participated in a 29-session MMC intervention.
  • Fundamental motor skills were assessed pre- and post-intervention using the Test of Gross Motor Development-3.
  • Intervention involved twice-weekly, 30-minute sessions focused on a mastery motivational climate.

Main Results:

  • Significant improvements in FMS mastery were observed across the intervention.
  • Girls demonstrated greater improvements in locomotor skills (run, slide, jump) compared to boys.
  • Boys showed larger gains in throwing ball skills compared to girls' improvements in two-hand strike, dribble, and kick.

Conclusions:

  • A mastery motivational climate intervention is effective in enhancing preschoolers' fundamental motor skills.
  • Sex-based differences exist in skill development within locomotor and ball skills.
  • Findings can inform the design of future motor skill interventions for young children.

Keywords:
child developmentmotor performancemotor proficiencyphysical activity

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