Reliability and validity of the basic motor ability test in preschool children

Abstract

The Basic Motor Ability Test (BMAT) is a motor ability battery specifically designed for children between 4 and 12 years of age but its psychometric properties have not been thoroughly examined. The purpose of this study was to analyze the feasibility, reliability and validity of the BMAT when administered to preschool children. Spanish healthy children (N = 75) from three different kindergarten schools were assessed on two occasions separated by four weeks. Five BMAT subtests showed high test-retest correlations (0.75-0.86) whereas the rest revealed a weak to moderate reliability (0.48-0.64). BMAT internal consistency was found to be weak (Cronbach’s Alpha = 0.49). All the subtests correlated with age. The BMAT is a feasible motor assessment tool that can be performed by preschoolers, albeit with some modifications. The lack of reliability reported in several subtests is an important concern that should be confirmed by future studies with larger samples.