Changes in Motor Competence after a Brief Physical Education Intervention Program in 4 and 5-Year-Old Preschool Children

Abstract

Low motor competence (MC) can cause low participation in physical activities in preschool children, and together with a high caloric intake, it can lead to obesity. Interventions on motor skills are effective in the short term to improve MC, therefore the objectives of this study were (1) to investigate the effect of a short six-week program on levels of motor competence in preschool children, and (2) to examine the effects of gender-based intervention. A total of 156 preschool children (5.20 ± 0.54 years old) from Lugo (Spain) participated. A quasi-experimental pre–post-test design was used with a control group of 76 students. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children—2nd Edition (MABC-2) was used to collect the data. Significant differences between the control and experimental groups were found after the intervention program in aiming and catching (p < 0.001), balance (p < 0.001), the total score of eight tests (p < 0.001), and total percentile score (p < 0.001). The results regarding gender in the experimental group showed a reduction in differences with respect to the initial results except in aiming and catching, where scores were higher in boys. The data suggest that the application of specific intervention programs in MC could positively influence the improvement of MC in preschool children, thus reducing differences between genders.

A Ten-Week Motor Skills Training Program Increases Motor Competence in Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder

“…These programs are based on daily motor skills, exercises, and activities involving fundamental motor competence. The majority of investigators studying this domain agree that these programs enhance the quality of movement and diminish DCD difficulties in children [ 5 , 7 , 8 ]. Moreover, besides improving motor competence, short-term motor skill interventions have also been shown to improve other cognitive, emotional, and psychological aspects in children with DCD [ 9 ].…”

Factors Associated with Motor Competence in Preschoolers from a Brazilian Urban Area

“…We elucidate the lack of attention to gender disparities and highlight the importance of offering more motor experiences to girls (Viegas et al, 2021 ; Santos et al, 2020 ). Therefore, specific CM intervention programs, especially for girls, may positively influence the improvement of their CM, reducing the differences between gender (Navarro-Patón et al, 2021 ).…”

Is It Possible to Improve Motor Competence through a Structured Balance Bike Program in Preschool Children Aged 3 to 6 Years?

“…This MC can be acquired in a rudimentary way through the natural development and maturation of the person [ 5 , 6 ], but if optimal development is sought, continuous interaction with a physical and social environment that stimulates it is necessary [ 7 ]. In addition, adequate feedback and instruction is also needed [ 4 ] through learning environments with structured programs [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 , 12 , 13 ], and with a specific objective [ 4 ]. In this sense, it must be taken into account that the first 5 years of a child’s life are a sensitive period for the development of their MC, which must be acquired in structured learning environments (i.e., physical education classes (PE)) or recess or school breaks [ 9 , 13 , 14 ].…”