Abstract
This study aimed to understand the motor competence (MC) level of Czech school-age children determined using the product-oriented Bruininks–Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (second edition) and to analyze the gender and age differences. The MC level in n = 637 children aged 6.0–11.0 years (46.6% girls) was evaluated using total motor composite and subcategories of fine and gross motor skills: fine manual control, manual coordination, body coordination, and strength and agility. Seventy-one percent of children had at least a satisfactory level of MC. The distribution of the total motor composite score of the Czech sample was uneven, with only 11.0% scoring above average and 29.4% scoring below average. However, we found low-level of MC in almost one third of children. The prevalence of well-below average results was found at 7%. Significant differences were found depending on age (p < .001), where we observed decreased MC with increasing age. Gender differences were reflected in the poorer level of fine motor skills in boys (p < .001). Given the high prevalence of low MC, these findings suggest the need for effective intervention in Czech children as an important prerequisite for comprehensive development in physical, psychosocial, and cognitive aspects.
| Original language | English |
|---|---|
| Pages (from-to) | 257-269 |
| Number of pages | 13 |
| Journal | Journal of Motor Learning and Development |
| Volume | 13 |
| Issue number | 1 |
| Early online date | 11 Dec 2024 |
| DOIs | |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Apr 2025 |
Bibliographical note
Accepted author manuscript version reprinted, by permission, from Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 2024, https://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2024-0010. © Human Kinetics, Inc.Copyright © and Moral Rights are retained by the author(s) and/or other copyright owners. A copy can be downloaded for personal non-commercial research or study, without prior permission or charge. This item cannot be reproduced or quoted extensively from without first obtaining permission in writing from the copyright holder(s). The content must not be changed in any way or sold commercially in any format or medium without the formal permission of the copyright holders.
This document is the author’s post-print version, incorporating any revisions agreed during the peer-review process. Some differences between the published version and this version may remain and you are advised to consult the published version if you wish to cite from it.
Funding
This work was supported by the Technology Agency of the Czech Republic under Grant TA \u010CR \u00C9ta 3 TL03000221.
| Funders | Funder number |
|---|---|
| Technology Agency of the Czech Republic | TA ČR Éta 3 TL03000221 |
Keywords
- psychomotor development
- gross motor skills
- fine motor skills
- Bruininks–Oseretsky test
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Biophysics
- Orthopedics and Sports Medicine
- Experimental and Cognitive Psychology
- Cognitive Neuroscience