A Mixed-method Approach for the Assessment of Fundamental Movement Skills in Physical Education

Abstract

Introduction: Physical education may help to improve the physical activity level (PAL) and has an important role in the development of fundamental movement skills (FMS). Indeed, several studies showed that the acquisition of FMS correlate with PAL, health-related fitness and self-esteem (Stodden, Langendorfer, & Roberton, 2009; Stodden & Goodway, 2007).Purpose of study: In education the assessment of children's motor skills represents an interesting research issue. In this work we discuss about the results obtained during the assessment of one movement skill in 11/12-age children of an Italian school.Methods: Fundamental motor skill was evaluated using quantitative instruments, kinematic video-based analysis, and qualitative instruments as specific evaluation grid. The test used for the FMS assessment is “Catch”(Fundamental Motor Skills, 1996).Discussion: The comparison about the data show two interesting findings: 1) children don’t reach the level of motor-gross abilities expected for their age; 2) evaluations of qualitative instruments sometimes don’t match the ones obtained by quantitative devices.