Reference Values for Fitness Level and Gross Motor Skills of 4–6-Year-Old Chilean Children

Andrés Godoy-Cumillaf, José Bruneau-Chávez, Paola Fuentes-Merino, Jaime Vásquez-Gómez, Mairena Sánchez-López, Celia Alvárez-Bueno and Iván Cavero-Redondo
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Andrés Godoy-Cumillaf: Grupo de Investigación en Educación Física, Salud y Calidad de Vida, Facultad de Educación, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, 4810101 Temuco, Chile
José Bruneau-Chávez: Grupo de Investigación en Educación Física, Salud y Calidad de Vida, Facultad de Educación, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, 4810101 Temuco, Chile
Paola Fuentes-Merino: Grupo de Investigación en Educación Física, Salud y Calidad de Vida, Facultad de Educación, Universidad Autónoma de Chile, 4810101 Temuco, Chile
Jaime Vásquez-Gómez: Vicerrectoría de Investigación y Postgrado, Centro de Investigación en Estudios Avanzados del Maule (CIEAM), Universidad Católica del Maule, 3460000 Talca, Chile
Mairena Sánchez-López: Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
Celia Alvárez-Bueno: Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain
Iván Cavero-Redondo: Health and Social Research Center, Universidad de Castilla-La Mancha, 16071 Cuenca, Spain

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 3, 1-17

Abstract: In childhood, fitness level is considered an important indicator of health, while gross motor skills are the basis of future motor competence. So far, no reference values have been found for the Chilean population. Therefore, this study aims to provide fitness level and gross motor skill reference values by gender and age of Chilean children aged 4–6 years. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted that included 728 children between 4 and 6 years old from the La Araucanía region of Chile. To assess the fitness level, the 20-m shuttle run test, standing long jump, handgrip dynamometry, 4x10m shuttle run, and Sit and Reach tests were used. Gross motor skills were assessed by five tests including aiming and catching and balance motor tasks. For fitness level, boys have better values in the long jump and dynamometry test, while girls have better values in flexibility. For estimated maximum volume of oxygen, at 5 years old there are significant differences in favour of boys, while at 6 years old in favour of girls. No statistically significant differences in speed/agility by gender were found. For gross motor skills, boys obtain higher values for catching and aiming tests, and girls for balance. The reference values for fitness level and gross motor skills shown in this study could aid physical education and health professionals in identifying children with low reference values, as well as in establishing objectives that will help to improve their health.

Keywords: motor competence; strength; speed/agility; cardiorespiratory fitness; flexibility; balance; aiming; catching (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
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