Are sex differences in fundamental motor skills uniform throughout the entire preschool period?

Abstract

The aim of this study was to assess differences in fundamental motor skills (FMS) proficiency between boys and girls of each age group, independently, across the entire preschool period. Using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children±second edition, FMS proficiency was tested in 325 preschoolers (4.9 ± 1.1 y, range 3±6) using a cross-sectional design. Compared to boys of the same age, 3-And 4-year-old girls had greater total (p < .01), fine motor skill (p < .01), and balance scores (p < .05). There were no sex differences for total test or balance scores in 5-And 6-year-olds, but 6-year-old boys outperformed girls in aiming and catching (p < .001). These data not only agree with previous research in that sex differences in FMS proficiency exist in preschool children, but the data also show that differences may not be uniform throughout the whole preschool period when analyzing by age. To avoid under- or overestimating FMS proficiency and subsequently prescribing inaccurate motor intervention programs, FMS proficiency normative values should be age-And sex-specific throughout the entire preschool period.