The Importance of Fundamental Movement Skill Proficiency for Physical Activity in Elementary School Age Females

Auteurs-es

  • Emily Bremer University of Ontario Institute of Technology
  • Meghann Lloyd University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Mots-clés :

fundamental motor skills, physical activity, females, physical education, afterschool

Résumé

This study examined the relationship between fundamental motor skills and physical activity in 6-9 year old females (n=25). Motor proficiency was assessed with the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 and physical activity was measured for 7 days with time-stamped pedometers. Participants took an average of 10573.4 steps per day and had motor skills that were below what would be expected for their age. Locomotor skills were positively associated with physical activity during the weekday (r=.487, p=.013) and during the after-school period of 3-6pm (r=.431, p=.032). Given the results, physical education teachers should capitalize on the school day, as well as after-school programming, as a time to improve both the motor skills and physical activity levels of young female students in order to lay the foundation for an active, healthy life.

Bibliographies de l'auteur-e

Emily Bremer, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Emily Bremer received her BHSc (Hons) from the University of Ontario Institute of Technology. She is currently funded by a Frederick Banting and Charles Best Canada Graduate Scholarship to investigate the effectiveness of a motor skill intervention for preschool age children with autism spectrum disorder.

Meghann Lloyd, University of Ontario Institute of Technology

Meghann Lloyd, PhD is an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Health Sciences at the University of Ontario Institute of Technology and a Research Associate at Grandview Children’s Centre in Oshawa, ON, Canada. Her research investigates the interaction of physical activity and motor behaviour in children with and without disabilities.

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Publié-e

2014-09-04

Numéro

Vol. 6 No. 2 (2014): Revue phenEPS / PHEnex Journal

Rubrique

Feature Articles / Articles de fond

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