Basic Motor Competencies in Italian Schoolchildren Using the MOBAK-Test: Normative Data for a Novel Framework

Basic motor competencies (BMC) are foundational skills essential for children's participation in sports and physical activities. While normative data exist in countries like Germany and Switzerland, benchmarks for Italian children are lacking. This study addresses this gap by establishing normative data for Italian schoolchildren aged 5-11 years using the MOBAK test battery, which assesses self-movement (balancing, rolling, jumping, running) and object movement (throwing, catching, bouncing, dribbling) competencies. A total of 1626 children (838 boys, 788 girls) from kindergarten to 10-11 years in Northern Italy were assessed using the MOBAK tests battery. Descriptive statistics, percentile ranks, z-scores, and T-scores were used to establish normative values, while analysis of variance (ANOVA) examined differences by sex and grade level. The normative data and the comparison between sexes highlight developmental trends in motor skills, with raw scores increasing steadily across age groups. Boys consistently outperformed girls in object movement tasks, while girls excelled in self-movement tasks, particularly in grades 5 and 6. Notably, boys had increasing difficulty in achieving high scores with age, as seen in the changing percentile ranks for the same raw scores. In contrast, girls exhibited more stable development, maintaining or improving percentile ranks over time. This study provides the first normative data for BMC in Italian children, highlighting sex-based differences and developmental trajectories. The benchmarks offer a vital tool for educators and policymakers to design tailored interventions, supporting children's motor competence and promoting lifelong physical activity.