Fundamental movement patterns in Tasmanian primary school children.

Abstract

Gross motor development, using the Test of Gross Motor Development was investigated in 7- and 10-yr.-old Tasmanian school children (N = 574) to provide normative data for primary school children. The effects of daily physical education, time spent on physical education per week, schools with and without a trained physical educator, motor skill training programs, and their effects upon development of fundamental movement patterns was also investigated. Time spent on physical education instruction per week, significantly influenced Gross Motor Development scores in that the more time spent on physical education, the higher the score. Having a motor skill training program in the school was significant for 10-yr.-olds. A review of daily physical education with perhaps a goal of greater emphasis on manipulative control skills such as kicking, throwing, and striking should take place especially for girls, as their scores were significantly lower than those of boys.