Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the level of fundamental motor skills (PD) with respect to sex differences in preschool children. A total sample of 510 preschool children participated in this crosssectional study.
The Movement Assessment Battery for Children - second edition (MABC-2) test was used for the assessment of FMS level using the total test score (CTS) and subtests score (MZ - manual dexterity, MCH - aiming and catching, R - balance). Results: 3- and 4-year-old girls performed significantly better than boys in CTS (p < 0.05) as well as in MZ and R subtests.
We found no sex differences in CTS in 5- and 6-year-old children. However, 6-year-old boys performed significantly better in MCH subtest in comparison with girls (p < 0.01).
Moreover, CTS score of 6-years-old girls was highly below the population mean according to MABC-2 test manual. According to our results the speed of FMS development differs between boys and girls during the whole preschool period.
Revealed gender differences should be taken into consideration in preparation of motor programmes for development of fundamental PD. Special focus should be paid to improving motor skills, respectively to motor areas, where we found low level of PD.