engleski

Gender Differences of Preschool Children in Fundamental Movement Skills

The aim of this research was to determine whether there are significant differences between preschool-aged boys and girls (4 - 4.5 years old) in locomotor skills and object control skills. The research included a total of 67 children, of which 34 boys (average body height 107.61 ± 4.43 cm ; body weight 18.19 ± 4.43 kg) and 33 girls (average body height 107.31 ± 4.76 cm ; body weight 19.00 ± 3.08 kg). All subjects were measured by four motor tests to estimate the balance, flexibility, coordination and frequency of movement (standing on one leg, bend and reach, polygon backwards and hand tapping). Motor skills were estimated by the Test of Gross Motor Development, which includes seven locomotor skills (run, gallop, hop, leap, standing long jump, slide, skip) and four object control skills (stationary bounce, catch, kick, overhand throw). Univariate analysis of variance showed significant differences in motor test polygon backwards in favor of boys (p=.001). The total locomotor score was higher for girls than boys (p=.01), although the differences are significant only in gallop (p=.02), hop (p=.02) and skip (p=.03). There were no statistically significant differences in total score of object control skills (p=.43), while girls had higher average values in stationary bounce and catch (p=.01), and boys in overhand throw (p=.03) and kick. The small-size effect (f=0.10) and Power at 0.12 observed in object control skills indicated that approximately N=842 would be needed to obtain statistical power at the recommended 0.80 level. In total fundamental movement skills girls scored higher on a level of significance (p=.02). In this sample, girls have a noticeably higher level of motor skills compared to boys of the same age.

locomotor skills; object control skills; preschoolers

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