Are sex differences in fundamental motor skills uniform throughout the entire preschool period?

• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0176556
• Publication Date: 2017-04-27T19:55:48Z
• Authors: Jakub Kokštejn; Martin Musálek; James J. Tufano
• Keywords: Gross motor skill; Movement assessment

The aim of this study was to assess differences in fundamental motor skills (FMS) proficiency between boys and girls each age group, independently, across the entire preschool period. Using Movement Assessment Battery for Children-second edition, FMS tested 325 preschoolers (4.9 ± 1.1 y, range 3-6) using a cross-sectional design. Compared same age, 3- 4-year-old had greater total (p < .01), fine skill balance scores .05). There were no sex test or 5- 6-year-olds, but 6-year-old outperformed aiming catching .001). These data not only agree with previous research that exist children, also show may be uniform throughout whole period when analyzing by age. To avoid under- overestimating subsequently prescribing inaccurate intervention programs, normative values should age- sex-specific