LEVEL OF MOTOR SKILLS IN YOUNGER PRIMARY-SCHOOL CHILDREN AND THEIR SELECTED CONDITIONS

Abstract

Aim. To assess the motor skill level of younger primary school children (grade 1-3) and the relationship between the motor skills of the participants and their knowledge on physical culture and physical activity. Basic procedures. The study was conducted among randomly selected children enrolled in grades 1-3 of primary schools in Krakow. 334 students aged 7-8, 365 aged 8-9 and 317 aged 9-10 took part in the study. The basic method was a diagnostic survey, and the technique was a questionnaire and school achievement testing. The SPSS 21 (IBM Corp., 2012) programme was used for statistical analysis of the study results. Statistically significant correlations were assumed at p < 0.01 and were marked by two asterisks. Results. The highest percentage of subjects regarding the level of motor skills was in the middle and high ranges. The analysis of the results also showed an average level of physical activity and knowledge about physical culture in the majority of participants. Research also showed a statistically significant positive correlation between motor skills and the level of physical activity of children and the level of knowledge about physical culture. Conclusions. Younger school-girls and school-boys are generally above average in terms of selected motor skills. The age of the examined children clearly differentiated their level of motor skills. There was a statistically significant correlation between the motor skills and physical activity of children in their free time and their knowledge on physical culture.