Exploring Cross-Cultural Differences in Fundamental Motor Skills Proficiency Between Polish and Latvian Children

Makaruk Hubert (), Grants Juris, Bodasińska Anna, Bula-Biteniece Inta, Zieliński Janusz, Dravniece Irēna, Starzak Marcin, Ciekurs Kalvis, Piech Krzysztof, Makaruk Beata, Žīdens Janis, Kalniņš Kārlis and Sadowski Jerzy
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Makaruk Hubert: Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Biała Podlaska, Poland
Grants Juris: Latvian Academy of Sport Education in Riga, Latvia
Bodasińska Anna: Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Biała Podlaska, Poland
Bula-Biteniece Inta: Latvian Academy of Sport Education in Riga, Latvia
Zieliński Janusz: Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Biała Podlaska, Poland
Dravniece Irēna: Latvian Academy of Sport Education in Riga, Latvia
Starzak Marcin: Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Biała Podlaska, Poland
Ciekurs Kalvis: Latvian Academy of Sport Education in Riga, Latvia
Piech Krzysztof: Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Biała Podlaska, Poland
Makaruk Beata: Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Biała Podlaska, Poland
Žīdens Janis: Latvian Academy of Sport Education in Riga, Latvia
Kalniņš Kārlis: Latvian Academy of Sport Education in Riga, Latvia
Sadowski Jerzy: Józef Piłsudski University of Physical Education in Warsaw, Faculty of Physical Education and Health, Biała Podlaska, Poland

Polish Journal of Sport and Tourism, 2023, vol. 30, issue 3, 12-17

Abstract: Introduction. Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are a critical component of success in various sports and lifelong physical activity (PA). This study aimed to evaluate and compare the FMS proficiency levels of 7-9-year-old children from Poland and Latvia, providing insights into the current state of motor competence in these populations. Material and Methods. A cross-sectional study design was utilized, incorporating a sample of 163 boys and girls. The FUS test (Fundamental Motor Skills in Sport), a comprehensive, qualitative, and process-oriented assessment tool was used to assess FMS. The FUS test encompassed a range of movement tasks, including hurdles, jumping rope, forward roll, ball bouncing, ball throwing and catching, and kicking and stopping a ball that allows for a thorough evaluation of FMS proficiency. Results. The study revealed alarmingly low FMS proficiency levels in both countries, with 93.3% of students displaying ‘insufficient FMS proficiency’. The Mann-Whitney U test showed that Latvian boys outperformed their Polish peers in jumping rope and forward roll (p

Keywords: fundamental movement skills; motor competence; physical education; FUS test (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:vrs:spotou:v:30:y:2023:i:3:p:12-17:n:2

DOI: 10.2478/pjst-2023-0014

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