Relationship Between Out-of-School Physical Activity, Physical Growth and the Development of Motor Skills

Background/Objectives: Motor development in middle childhood (9-11 years) is a decisive stage for the consolidation of fundamental motor skills. Among these, turning stands out as a complex stabilizing skill that requires postural control, angular momentum regulation, and sensory integration. However, despite its cross-cutting relevance in physical and sports practice, it has not been studied specifically. Methods: This cross-sectional, quantitative study analyzed the execution level of the turn in 214 Spanish students aged 9 to 11, considering its relationship with anthropometric variables (height, weight, and BMI), sex, and the frequency of extracurricular physical-sport practice. Results: The results showed mostly average-to-low performance in turning ability, with no linear progression with age; boys outperformed girls at ages 9 and 10, while at age 11 the differences narrowed. Regression analysis showed no significant associations (p < 0.05) between turning ability and anthropometric variables or frequency of general physical and sports activity. Conclusions: These findings reinforce the originality of the study by highlighting a rarely explored skill and underscore the need for specific pedagogical approaches. Educational and extracurricular programs should incorporate varied tasks designed to stimulate sensory integration, body awareness, and motor control, beyond the mere amount of physical practice.