Assessing Fundamental Motor Skills And Sex Across Different Age Groups Of Elementary School-Aged Children
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.31851/hon.v9i1.20115Abstract
This study aimed to analyze and compare object-control motor skills in children aged 6–11 years based on gender and age group. A total of 62 students (males, n=34; females, n=28) participated as the research sample, with data collected during May–June 2025. Skill measurements were conducted using the object-control motor subtest from the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition (TGMD-2). The obtained data were analyzed using a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) and Tukey's post-hoc test. The results indicate that the object-control motor skills of male children were significantly superior to those of female children (p=0.000). A significant interaction was also found between gender and age group (p=0.000). Specifically, the 8–9-year-old age group demonstrated better skills compared to the 6–7-year-old (p=0.033) and 10–11-year-old (p=0.001) age groups. No significant difference was found between the 6–7-year-old and 10–11-year-old age groups (p=0.337). These findings suggest that gender and age are influential factors in the development of object-control motor skills, with the 8–9-year-old period potentially being a critical window for the acquisition of these skills.
References
Bakhtiar, S. (2015). Merancang Pembelajaran Gerak Dasar Anak. In UNP Press.
Bakhtiar, S., & Famelia, R. (2018). Institute Role of Teachers’ Education in Improving the Standard of Development Achievement Rate and Standard of Teacher and Education Personnels of Early Childhood Education. https://doi.org/10.2991/icece-17.2018.20
Bakhtiar, S., Famelia, R., Syahputra, R., Oktavianus, I., & Goodway, J. (2020). Developing a Motor Skill-Based Curriculum for Preschools and Kindergartens as a Preventive Plan for Children With Obesity in Indonesia. 21(Icsshpe 2019), 106–110. https://doi.org/10.2991/assehr.k.200824.065
Bakhtiar, S., Johor, Z., Oktarifaldi, & Putri, L. P. (2019). Implementation of Learning and Fundamental Measurement of Early Childhood Motor Skill for PAUD Teachers Padang Panjang City. Journal Humanities, 1(1).
Baniasadi, T. (2024). Comparison of Executive Function and Working Memory among Children with High and Low Levels of Physical Activity. The International Journal of Education and Cognitive Sciences, 5(3), 9–15. https://doi.org/10.61838/kman.ijeas.5.3.2
Barnett, L. M., Stodden, D., Cohen, K. E., Smith, J. J., Lubans, D. R., Lenoir, M., Iivonen, S., Miller, A. D., Laukkanen, A., Dudley, D., Lander, N. J., Brown, H., & Morgan, P. J. (2016). Fundamental movement skills: An important focus. Journal of Teaching in Physical Education, 35(3). https://doi.org/10.1123/jtpe.2014-0209
Behan, S., Belton, S., Peers, C., O’Connor, N. E., & Issartel, J. (2019). Moving Well-Being Well: Investigating the maturation of fundamental movement skill proficiency across sex in Irish children aged five to twelve. Journal of Sports Sciences, 37(22), 2604–2612. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2019.1651144
Bolger, L. E., Bolger, L. A., Neill, C. O., Coughlan, E., O’Brien, W., Lacey, S., & Burns, C. (2018). Age and sex differences in fundamental movement skills among a cohort of Irish school children. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 6(1), 81–100. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2017-0003
D’Anna, C., Carlevaro, F., Magno, F., Vagnetti, R., Limone, P., & Magistro, D. (2025). Sex Differences in Gross Motor Competence in Italian Children Aged 3–11 Years: A Large-Scale Cross-Sectional Study. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 10(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10010061
Dilandes, A. A., Syahputra, R., Oktarifaldi, O., Putri, L. P., & Bakhtiar, S. (2022). Perbedaan Level Kemampuan Objek Kontrol Berdasarkan Jenis Kelamin dan Usia PAUD. Jurnal Pendidikan Jasmani Indonesia, 18(1), 27–35. https://doi.org/https://doi.org/10.21831/jpji.v18i1.48464
Dinkel, D., & Snyder, K. (2020). Exploring gender differences in infant motor development related to parent’s promotion of play. Infant Behavior and Development, 59. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.infbeh.2020.101440
Escolano-Pérez, E., Herrero-Nivela, M. L., & Losada, J. L. (2020). Association Between Preschoolers’ Specific Fine (But Not Gross) Motor Skills and Later Academic Competencies: Educational Implications. Frontiers in Psychology, 11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01044
Fernandes, V. R., Ribeiro, M. L. S., Melo, T., Maciel-Pinheiro, P. de T., Guimarães, T. T., Araújo, N. B., Ribeiro, S., & Deslandes, A. C. (2016). Motor coordination correlates with academic achievement and cognitive function in children. Frontiers in Psychology, 7(MAR), 1–8. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00318
Foulkes, J. D., Knowles, Z., Fairclough, S. J., Stratton, G., O’dwyer, M. V., & Foweather, L. (2022). Is foundational movement skill competency important for keeping children physically active and at a healthy weight? International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 19(1). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19010105
Han, A., Fu, A., Cobley, S., & Sanders, R. H. (2018). Effectiveness of exercise intervention on improving fundamental movement skills and motor coordination in overweight/obese children and adolescents: A systematic review. In Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport (Vol. 21, Issue 1, pp. 89–102). Elsevier Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jsams.2017.07.001
John, A., Wainwright, N., Goodway, J. D., & Williams, A. (2024). The Relationship between Physical Activity and Motor Competence of Foundation Phase Children in Wales during the School Day. Children, 11(6). https://doi.org/10.3390/children11060629
Kokstejn, J., Grobar, M., Vampola, J., & Musalek, M. (2025). Why Motor Competence Matters: Fundamental Movement Skills and Their Role in Promoting Physical Activity and Health in Czech Children Aged 9–10 Years. Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 10(3), 258. https://doi.org/10.3390/jfmk10030258
Kowalczyk, M., Zgorzalewicz-Stachowiak, M., Błach, W., & Kostrzewa, M. (2025). Does Judo Training Contribute to the Motor Development of Children and Adolescents? A Systematic Review. In Journal of Clinical Medicine (Vol. 14, Issue 7). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14072439
Latino, F., & Tafuri, F. (2024). Physical Activity and Cognitive Functioning. In Medicina (Lithuania) (Vol. 60, Issue 2). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/medicina60020216
Lee, J., Zhang, T., Chu, T. L., Gu, X., & Zhu, P. (2020). Effects of a fundamental motor skill-based afterschool program on children’s physical and cognitive health outcomes. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 17(3). https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph17030733
Logan, S. W., Barnett, L. M., Goodway, J. D., & Stodden, D. F. (2017). Comparison of performance on process- and product-oriented assessments of fundamental motor skills across childhood. Journal of Sports Sciences, 35(7). https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2016.1183803
Logan, S. W., Ross, S. M., Chee, K., Stodden, D. F., & Robinson, L. E. (2018). Fundamental motor skills: A systematic review of terminology. Journal of Sports Sciences, 36(7), 781–796. https://doi.org/10.1080/02640414.2017.1340660
Lubans, D. R., Morgan, P. J., Cliff, D. P., Barnett, L. M., & Okely, A. D. (2010). Fundamental Movement Skills in Children and Adolescents Review of Associated Health Benefits. 40(12), 1019–1035.
Malambo, C., Nová, A., Clark, C., & Musálek, M. (2022). Associations between Fundamental Movement Skills, Physical Fitness, Motor Competency, Physical Activity, and Executive Functions in Pre-School Age Children: A Systematic Review. In Children (Vol. 9, Issue 7). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/children9071059
Matarma, T., Lagström, H., Löyttyniemi, E., & Koski, P. (2020). Motor Skills of 5-Year-Old Children: Gender Differences and Activity and Family Correlates. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 127(2), 367–385. https://doi.org/10.1177/0031512519900732
Newell, K. M. (2020). What are Fundamental Motor Skills and What is Fundamental About Them? Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 8, 280–314. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2020-0013
Philpott, C., Utesch, T., Belton, S., Donovan, B., Chambers, F., Lester, D., & O’Brien, W. (2021). Effects of an 8-Week Intervention Targeting the Veridicality of Actual and Perceived Motor Competence Among Irish Adolescents in Project FLAME. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 128(5), 2186–2210. https://doi.org/10.1177/00315125211035090
Polsley, S., Powell, L., Kim, H. H., Thomas, X., Liew, J., & Hammond, T. (2022). Detecting Children’s Fine Motor Skill Development using Machine Learning. International Journal of Artificial Intelligence in Education, 32(4), 991–1024. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40593-021-00279-7
Putri, L. P., Syahputra, R., & Andli, I. (2020). Nutritional Status Effect On Object Control Ability In Children Age 5 to 6 Year. 4(2), 25–32. https://doi.org/10.33369/jk.v4i2.12175
Putri, M., Bakhtiar, S., Bafirman, B., Ihsan, N., & Pratama Putri, L. (2024). The role of learning strategies on object control skills is reviewed from coordination in children. Jurnal SPORTIF : Jurnal Penelitian Pembelajaran, 10(1), 139–156. https://doi.org/10.29407/js_unpgri.v10i1.22047
Roscoe, C. M. P., Taylor, N., Weir, N., Flynn, R. J., & Pringle, A. (2024). Impact and Implementation of an Early Years Fundamental Motor Skills Intervention for Children 4–5 Years. Children, 11(4). https://doi.org/10.3390/children11040416
Sortwell, A., O’Brien, K., Murphy, A., Ramirez-Campillo, R., Piggott, B., Hine, G., & Newton, M. (2024). Effects of plyometric-based structured game active breaks on fundamental movement skills, muscular fitness, self-perception, and actual behaviour in primary school students. Biology of Sport, 41(3), 69–78. https://doi.org/10.5114/biolsport.2024.132991
Spring, K. E., Carroll, A. V., & Wadsworth, D. D. (2023). The relationship in early childhood body composition and physical activity levels regarding fundamental motor skill development. BMC Pediatrics, 23(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s12887-023-04298-2
Sun, L., Luo, L., Yang, Y., Wangchuan, Q., & Luo, J. (2025). Gender Differences in the Incidence and Types of Sports Injuries Among Female Athletes: A Scoping Review. In Journal of Nursing Management (Vol. 2025, Issue 1). John Wiley and Sons Ltd. https://doi.org/10.1155/jonm/6416101
Sun, S., & Chen, C. (2024). The Effect of Sports Game Intervention on Children’s Fundamental Motor Skills: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. In Children (Vol. 11, Issue 2). Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI). https://doi.org/10.3390/children11020254
Syafruddin, Bakhtiar, S., & Famelia, R. (2020). Indonesian and American Children: Object Control Skills Comparison. International Journal of Psychosocial Rehabilitation, 24(5), 756–761. https://doi.org/10.37200/ijpr/v24i5/pr201744
Syahputra, R., Bakhtiar, S., Marta, I. A., & Putri, L. P. (2021). The Profile of Students’ Locomotor Skills Level in Elementary School. Halaman Olahraga Nusantara (Jurnal Ilmu Keolahragaan), 4(2), 138. https://doi.org/10.31851/hon.v4i2.5378
Syahputra, R., Bakhtiar, S., Oktarifaldi, O., Rasyid, W., & Putri, L. P. (2020). Assistance In Learning Basic Early Childhood Motion Skills For Early Childhood Teachers In Pesisir Selatan Regency. 1(c), 1–13. http://jha.ppj.unp.ac.id/index.php/JHA/article/view/16/15
Tsuda, E., Goodway, J. D., Famelia, R., & Brian, A. (2020). Relationship Between Fundamental Motor Skill Competence, Perceived Physical Competence and Free-Play Physical Activity in Children. Research Quarterly for Exercise and Sport, 91(1), 55–63. https://doi.org/10.1080/02701367.2019.1646851
Valentini, N. C., Logan, S. W., Spessato, B. C., de Souza, M. S., Pereira, K. G., & Rudisill, M. E. (2016). Fundamental Motor Skills Across Childhood: Age, Sex, and Competence Outcomes of Brazilian Children. Journal of Motor Learning and Development, 4(1), 16–36. https://doi.org/10.1123/jmld.2015-0021
Vameghi, R., Shams, A., & Dehkordi, P. S. (2012). The effect of age, sex and obesity on fundamental motor skills among 4 to 6 years-old children. Pakistan Journal of Medical Sciences, 29(2). https://doi.org/10.12669/pjms.292.3069
Zheng, Y., Ye, W., Korivi, M., Liu, Y., & Hong, F. (2022). Gender Differences in Fundamental Motor Skills Proficiency in Children Aged 3–6 Years: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis. In International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (Vol. 19, Issue 14). MDPI. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph19148318
Downloads
Additional Files
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Lucy Pratama Putri, Risky Syahputra; Heru Afrian, Jepri Naldi; Syahrial Bakhtiar
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
1. License
Use of articles will be governed by the Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike license as currently displayed on Creative Commons Attribution - ShareAlike 4.0 International License (CC BY-SA)
The author warrants that the article is original, written by stated author(s), has not been published before, contains no unlawful statements, does not infringe the rights of others, is subject to copyright that is vested exclusively in the author and free of any third party rights, and that any necessary written permissions to quote from other sources have been obtained by the author(s).
Halaman Olahraga Nusantara's spirit is to disseminate articles published are as free as possible. Under the Creative Commons license, Halaman Olahraga Nusantara permits users to copy, distribute, display, and perform the work. Users will also need to attribute authors and Halaman Olahraga Nusantara on distributing works in the journal and other media of publications.
4. Rights of Authors
Authors retain all their rights to the published works, such as (but not limited to) the following rights;
1. Copyright and other proprietary rights relating to the article, such as patent rights,
2. The right to use the substance of the article in own future works, including lectures and books,
3. The right to reproduce the article for own purposes,
4. The right to enter into separate, additional contractual arrangements for the non-exclusive distribution of the article's published version (e.g., post it to an institutional repository or publish it in a book), with an acknowledgment of its initial publication in this journal Halaman Olahraga Nusantara.
5. Co-Authorship
If the article was jointly prepared by more than one author, any authors submitting the manuscript warrants that he/she has been authorized by all co-authors to be agreed on this copyright and license notice (agreement) on their behalf, and agrees to inform his/her co-authors of the terms of this policy. Halaman Olahraga Nusantara will not be held liable for anything that may arise due to the author(s) internal dispute. Halaman Olahraga Nusantara will only communicate with the corresponding author.
6. Royalties
Being an open accessed journal and disseminating articles for free under the Creative Commons license term mentioned, author(s) aware that Halaman Olahraga Nusantara entitles the author(s) to no royalties or other fees.
