Basic Motor Competencies of 6- to 8-Year-Old Primary School Children in 10 European Countries: A Cross-Sectional Study on Associations With Age, Sex, Body Mass Index, and Physical Activity

Abstract

Basic motor competencies (BMC) are a prerequisite for children to be physically active, participate in sports and thus develop a healthy, active lifestyle. The present study provides a broad screening of BMC and associations with age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and extracurricular physical activity (PA) in 10 different European countries. The different country and regional contexts within Europe will offer a novel view on already established BMC associations. The cross-sectional study was conducted in 11 regions in 10 European countries in 2018. The motor competence areas, object movement (OM) and self-movement (SM), were assessed using the MOBAK-1-2 test instrument in 3758 first and second graders (age: M = 6.86 ± 0.60 years; 50% girls) during Physical Education classes. Children were questioned about their extracurricular PA and age. Their body weight and height were measured in order to calculate BMI. Statistical analyses included variances and correlations. The results showed significant differences in BMC levels between countries (OM: F = 18.74, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.048; SM: F = 73.10, p < 0.001, η2 = 0.163) whereas associations between BMC and correlates were similar. Boys performed significantly better in OM while girls performed better in SM. Age was consistently positively related to OM and SM with older children reaching higher levels of BMC than younger ones. While participation rates for extracurricular PA differed widely, participation in ball sports was correlated with OM and SM. Participation in individual sports showed a significant association with SM. In summary, BMC levels of children seem to depend on where they live and are strongly related to their participation in extracurricular PA. Therefore, education and health policies, in order to enhance motor competence development and PA participation, are recommended. Further research on country-specific Physical Education frameworks and their influence on BMC will provide more insights into structural factors and cultural characteristics of BMC development. On a school level, support tools and educational materials for teachers about BMC may enable children to achieve a basic level of motor competencies through Physical Education, contributing to lifelong participation in PA.

Investigating levels and determinants of primary school children’s basic motor competencies in nine European countries

“…Variations in BMC between the subsamples were even higher in this study than in a previous study that examined only first and second graders (Wälti et al 2022). The transition phase from second to third grade seems to determine whether a child's development is age-appropriate or delayed (Augste and Jaitner 2010).…”

“…Few studies compared motor competence levels and associates over several countries or regions. They found better fine and gross motor skills in northern European countries than in southern (Haga et al 2018) and strong differences in SM tasks across European countries in first and second grade children (Wälti et al 2022). Differences in motor competence levels between Brazilians and Portuguese children were dependent on the sex (Flôres et al 2021) or on extracurricular PA when comparing Portuguese and U.S. children (Luz et al 2019).…”

Developmental Progression and Sex Differences in Agility During Continuous Two-Footed Jumping Among Children Aged 4–16 Years

“…Sex differences in motor performance have often been investigated (Barnett et al, 2016;Katić et al, 2013;Kokštejn et al, 2017;Latorre-Román et al, 2016;Morris et al, 1982). In general, boys performed better in object movement while girls performed better in self-movement (Wälti et al, 2022). Morris et al (1982) found that boys were superior to girls at 3-6 years old on speed run tests, and girls were superior to boys at age 6 on a balance test, suggesting that sex differences in motor performance are already present as early as in the preschool years.…”

“…They reported that 7-or 8-year-olds showed a higher index of coactivation in maturation of the nervous system compared with 10-year-old children. In addition, sex differences in basic motor competency including running speed, object movement, and self-movement were already found among preschool children, and boys performed better in object movement, whereas girls performed better in self-movement (Barnett et al, 2016;Morris et al, 1982;Wälti et al, 2022).…”

“…FMS are typically classified as object control (e.g., throwing, catching, and dribbling) and locomotor skills (e.g., running, jumping, and hopping; Logan et al, 2012). FMS in children are also investigated by exploring the developmental progression and sex differences in order to understand the mechanisms of motor learning processes (Antunes et al, 2016;Barnett et al, 2016;Katić et al, 2013;Kokštejn et al, 2017;Latorre-Román et al, 2016;Silva et al, 2019;Wälti et al, 2022).…”