Examining the Impact of Sports and Physical Activities on Basic Motor Skills in Primary School Children

Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of sports and physical activities on the fundamental motor skills of primary school children. The research was conducted with 54 volunteer students, including 27 in the experimental group and 27 in the control group, at Beyrebucak Primary School in Gazipaşa, Antalya. Necessary permissions were obtained from the Antalya Governorship and the parents of the students before the study.Within the scope of the research, the experimental group participated in activities using the Physical Activity Cards (PAC) referred to as yellow cards, which were implemented in physical education and game classes for 8 weeks, 3 days a week. In addition to measuring the students' height and body weight, their fundamental motor skills were evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2). On the other hand, no intervention related to physical activity cards was provided to the control group.The research findings showed a significant difference in favor of the experimental group in terms of the total score of the TGMD-2 (p<0,001). Moreover, there was a significant improvement in the experimental group in the subcategories of the TGMD-2, namely locomotor and object control skills (p<0,001), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group (p>0,05).In conclusion, the study suggests that sports and physical activities can have a positive impact on the fundamental motor skills of primary school children.The aim of this study is to examine the effects of sports and physical activities on the fundamental motor skills of primary school children. The research was conducted with 54 volunteer students, including 27 in the experimental group and 27 in the control group, at Beyrebucak Primary School in Gazipaşa, Antalya. Necessary permissions were obtained from the Antalya Governorship and the parents of the students before the study.Within the scope of the research, the experimental group participated in activities using the Physical Activity Cards (PAC) referred to as yellow cards, which were implemented in physical education and game classes for 8 weeks, 3 days a week. In addition to measuring the students' height and body weight, their fundamental motor skills were evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2). On the other hand, no intervention related to physical activity cards was provided to the control group.The research findings showed a significant difference in favor of the experimental group in terms of the total score of the TGMD-2 (p<0,001). Moreover, there was a significant improvement in the experimental group in the subcategories of the TGMD-2, namely locomotor and object control skills (p<0,001), whereas no significant changes were observed in the control group (p>0,05).In conclusion, the study suggests that sports and physical activities can have a positive impact on the fundamental motor skills of primary school children.