Physical fitness and motor skills in 6-year-old children from the Małopolska province

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of the research is to investigate the link between the level of physical fitness and motor skills in 6-year-old children in the Malopolska Province and the place where they live. Basic procedures. The study encompassed 6,409 children, including 3,117 girls and 3,292 boys. To evaluate their level of physical fitness, several tests from the EUROFIT test battery were carried out. In addition, children were evaluated on how they performed simple motor tasks, which are usually part of games involving physical movement. The following activities were assessed: throwing a PE bean bag with left and right hand, throwing a ball with both hands, catching a PE bean bag with left and right hand, kicking a ball with right and left leg, hopping on the right and left foot, and hopping on both feet. In addition, coordination during exercises was evaluated. A four-point scale was used for measurement. Basic statistical characteristics were calculated (means and standard deviations, normalized values ). A Student’s t-test was used in order to assess environmental diversity. Main findings. The level of children’s physical fitness varies depending on where a child lives. Both boys and girls inhabiting rural areas achieve significantly better results in tests of arm muscle strength (p=.000) and running speed (girls p=.000, boys p=.050). Furthermore, in the group of boys, there were significant differences in the level of flexibility (p=.015). Urban preschoolers achieve better results in the balance test (p=.000). As reported by the Physical Education teachers, rural children scored significantly better for the performance of all motor tasks (all points in total, girls p=.000, boys p=.049) and catches (= .000). Rural girls were better at hops (p=.000). Conclusions. The results suggest that the level of development of preschool age children’s motor skills in terms of their motor potential is becoming very similar. DOI