An Examination of the Factors Influencing the Learning of Motor Coordination in Childhood

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to clarify the factors influencing the learning of motor coordination in childhood by means of a questionnaire.The subjects were 718 boys and girls in total in the 5th and 6th grades of elementary schools.The questionaire was sent out to the subjects from October to November in 1989. The degree of motor coordination ability of each subject was calculated by means of the 5 grade evaluation based on self judgment for 8 items: running, ball throwing, ball hitting, ball catching using 2 sizes of ball, swimming, ball kicking and balance ability of the body.The three groups divided by degrees of motor coordination ability-high, middle and low-were classified by the values of (x±1σ) motor coordination ability of all subjects, and the groups were compared with each other. The main findings are sumarized as follows.1. The participation in sport clubs for a long term and active exercises makes it easy to learn about a high level of motor coordination.2. Frequent contacts with their playmates and many more experiences of outdoor playing make a high level of motor coordination.3. We think that parents' favorable attitude toward sports causes their children to have motivation for physical activities and positive participation, and as a result, to give them a lot of chances to learn a high level of motor coordination.4. The high frequency of the uses of many kinds of instruments for physical activities and of sporting goods makes it easy to learn about a high level of motor coordination.