Positive Effects of a 9-Week Programme on Fundamental Movement Skills of Rural School Children

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Bibliographic Details
Title: Positive Effects of a 9-Week Programme on Fundamental Movement Skills of Rural School Children
Language: English
Authors: Mere Idamokoro (ORCID 0000-0002-5551-7336), Anita E. Pienaar (ORCID 0000-0002-9487-5953), Barry Gerber (ORCID 0000-0002-8006-8552), Maria M. van Gent (ORCID 0000-0002-6051-1270)
Source: South African Journal of Education. 2024 14(1).
Availability: Education Association of South Africa. University of Pretoria, Centre for the Study of Resilience, Level 3, Groenkloof Student Centre, Department of Educational Psychology, Faculty of Education, George Storrar Road and Lleyds Street, Pretoria 0001, South Africa. Web site: http://www.sajournalofeducation.co.za/index.php/saje/index
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 15
Publication Date: 2024
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education
Early Childhood Education
Grade 2
Primary Education
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Psychomotor Skills, Motor Development, Rural Schools, Program Effectiveness, Young Children, Elementary School Students, Grade 2, Intervention
Geographic Terms: South Africa
Assessment and Survey Identifiers: Test of Gross Motor Development
ISSN: 0256-0100
2076-3433
Abstract: Background: Motor development of many children in rural areas of South Africa is compromised because of various socio-economic factors, hence, the need to address these developmental needs. Aim: To examine the immediate and sustainable effects of a 9-week movement programme on fundamental movement skills (FMS) of school children. Setting: Seven to eight years old school children in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, Eastern Cape province. Methods: A two-group, pre-post-re-test research design was used. Fundamental movement skills (FMS) proficiency was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition (TGMD-3) at pre-test, post-test and re-test after 6 months. Ninety-three school children (intervention group [IG] = 57) and (control group = 36), with a mean age of 7.12 (± 0.71) participated in the study. The twice-a-week FMS programme of 30 min was conducted during school hours. Statistical analysis included an ANOVA type of hierarchical linear model (HLM) (mixed models) procedure to test for intervention effects with school, time, sex and group as covariants. Cohen's effect size was calculated to assess the practical significance of changes. Results: Immediate and sustainable effects were found on locomotor (p < 0.05; d > 1.7, p < 0.05; d > 2.0), ball skills (p < 0.05; d > 0.7, p < 0.05; d > 1.5) and the gross motor index (GMI) of the IG (p < 0.05; d > 1.0, p < 0.05; d > 2.0). Conclusions: A short-duration FMS intervention significantly improve locomotor, ball skills, and GMI of school children in rural areas. Contributions: Interventions of this nature are encouraged to improve the FMS development of school children, especially in rural areas, as it can enhance the building blocks required in the future development of these children.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2024
Accession Number: EJ1425868
Database: ERIC
Description
Abstract:Background: Motor development of many children in rural areas of South Africa is compromised because of various socio-economic factors, hence, the need to address these developmental needs. Aim: To examine the immediate and sustainable effects of a 9-week movement programme on fundamental movement skills (FMS) of school children. Setting: Seven to eight years old school children in Raymond Mhlaba Municipality, Eastern Cape province. Methods: A two-group, pre-post-re-test research design was used. Fundamental movement skills (FMS) proficiency was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition (TGMD-3) at pre-test, post-test and re-test after 6 months. Ninety-three school children (intervention group [IG] = 57) and (control group = 36), with a mean age of 7.12 (± 0.71) participated in the study. The twice-a-week FMS programme of 30 min was conducted during school hours. Statistical analysis included an ANOVA type of hierarchical linear model (HLM) (mixed models) procedure to test for intervention effects with school, time, sex and group as covariants. Cohen's effect size was calculated to assess the practical significance of changes. Results: Immediate and sustainable effects were found on locomotor (p < 0.05; d > 1.7, p < 0.05; d > 2.0), ball skills (p < 0.05; d > 0.7, p < 0.05; d > 1.5) and the gross motor index (GMI) of the IG (p < 0.05; d > 1.0, p < 0.05; d > 2.0). Conclusions: A short-duration FMS intervention significantly improve locomotor, ball skills, and GMI of school children in rural areas. Contributions: Interventions of this nature are encouraged to improve the FMS development of school children, especially in rural areas, as it can enhance the building blocks required in the future development of these children.
ISSN:0256-0100
2076-3433