Gross motor development in colombian schoolchildren (6-10 years): age, gender, and motor profile differences
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v71.116345Keywords:
Gross motor development, schoolchildren, motor profiles, gender, TGMD-2Abstract
Introduction: Gross motor development in childhood is essential for overall health, but in Colombia, studies on schoolchildren are limited, especially in public education settings.
Objective: To evaluate locomotion and object control skills in 168 Colombian schoolchildren (aged 6–10 years), analyzing differences by age, gender, and motor profiles.
Methodology: quantitative study with a descriptive-comparative, correlational design and cluster analysis. The TGMD-2 was used as the measurement instrument.
Results: 67.2% showed below-average, poor, or very poor motor development, with a decline as they got older (only 10.3% of 10-year-olds reached average levels). Girls showed better results in precision skills such as catching and throwing underhand (p=0.012), while boys excelled in tasks such as hitting a ball. Cluster analysis identified four motor profiles: a high-performance group (25.6%), an intermediate group (20.2%), a group with locomotion deficits but high object control (38.1%), and a risk group with low performance in both components (16.1%).
Conclusions: These findings reflect the influence of contextual factors, such as the lack of teacher specialization in physical education and reduced exposure to structured activities. It is concluded that the motor deficiencies observed require differentiated school interventions, prioritizing strategies adapted to specific profiles and improvements in teacher training. The study highlights the urgency of educational policies that integrate systematic assessments and evidence-based programs to promote motor development in school settings.
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