The effect of a sport stacking intervention programme on fine and gross motor skills in preschool children.
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Date
2017
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Abstract
Introduction
The lack of physical activity among children is alarming and has become a major health
concern as children are not engaging in enough physical activity to assist in the growth
and development of the child. The development of motor skills in children plays an
important role in the level of physical activity children engage in. If a child cannot
efficiently run, kick, jump, catch, etc., then the opportunities to participate in sport and
other physical activities will become limited because they will not have the necessary
skills to do so. Fine motor skills are just as important as gross motor skills and are
necessary for the development of basic self-help skills. Activities like sport stacking is
believed to improve hand eye coordination, reaction time and motor proficiency.
Aim
The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a five-week sport stacking
intervention programme on fine and gross motor skills in preschool children.
Methods
The study was a quasi-experimental non-equivalent controls design with a pre- and postintervention
assessment. The sample selection was a convenient sample of 40 participants
between the ages of four and six years. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor
Proficiency, second edition (BOT-2) was used to assess fine and gross motor skills. The
data collected in this study was subjected to various statistical procedures. All the data
was analysed by a computerised statistical procedure (SPSS Version 19) and descriptive
(means and standard deviations) and inferential (paired t-tests and independent t-tests)
statistics were used to test significant differences pre- and post- intervention with p ≤ 0.05.
Results
Results demonstrated that the intervention group significantly improved in several fine
and gross motor areas. Paired samples t-test for the intervention group showed significant
differences for five items assessed (copying a star, transfer of pennies, dribbling a ball –
alternating hands, sit-ups and one legged stationary hop). Independent samples t-test
showed significant differences for transfer of pennies and dribbling a ball - alternating
hands. Analysis of covariance showed significant differences in copying a star, transfer of
pennies, tapping feet and fingers – same side synchronised, dribbling a ball – alternating
hands and one-legged stationary hop.
Conclusion
A sport stacking intervention programme is a suitable method to improve fine and gross
motor skills in preschool children.
Description
Doctoral Degree. University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban.