Fundamental motor skills: The effects of teaching intervention programmes

Within Ireland, concern has been expressed at the apparent lack of development of fundamental motor skills such as throwing, jumping, hopping, striking and catching in children and adolescents. Fundamental skills are an outgrowth of the rudimentary movements of infancy, and children should have the potential to have a basic mastery of most of these skills by age five or six years. While there is a strong genetic influence, their full development is very much dependent on environmental experience. This latter fact is not always recognised. Two studies examined the level of development of the 'over arm' throw in children of selected primary schools. Findings support concerns about lack of development and also show how development can be enhanced by appropriate teaching and practice. The importance of including retention tests in such studies is also highlighted.