Gender and grade-level differences in fundamental movement skills among Thai school children: The KIDDO protocol
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Abstract
Background: The early development of fundamental movement skills (FMS) in children is essential for promoting sustained participation in physical activity throughout childhood and adolescence. No prior research has examined fundamental movement skills in Thai children using the KIDDO assessment.
Objectives: Aimed to investigate the fundamental movement skills of Thai children.
Materials and methods: We examined fundamental movement skills in 138 Thai schoolchildren aged 6–8 years from 3 public primary schools in Khon Kaen Province using the KIDDO Protocols. The assessment comprised a range of physical tests, including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), and fundamental movement skills, which consisted of a 50-meter sprint, seated forward bend, and one-minute rope skipping. All data were presented as descriptive statistics (means, standard deviations, and percentiles) and analyzed by gender and grade level for each measured variable.
Results: The results revealed significant differences in performance based on both gender and grade level (p<0.05). Specifically, boys outperformed girls in speed-based tasks, demonstrating greater sprinting abilities, while girls exhibited superior flexibility in the seated forward bending test. Additionally, it was found that physical attributes and motor performance generally improved as children progressed in age and grade level.
Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance to consider both gender and grade-level differences in the design for physical activity and fundamental movement skills promotion. Such activities are crucial in supporting not only physical growth but also the overall health and well-being of young children, encouraging them to maintain an active lifestyle as they grow.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
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