Motor performance in basic skills of children participants and nonparticipants of oriented sport practice

Abstract

The present study aimed to analyze the motor performance in basic skills of children participants and nonparticipants of oriented sport practice. The sample consisted of 40 children of both sexes aged between 8 and 10 years, students from a private school in Belo Horizonte. The groups were set into children that participated in some additional oriented sport practice (PEA) and children who did not participate in any oriented practice of sport besides physical education classes (GC). Performance in basic skills was assessed by the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2). The used measures were gross motor quotient, raw score of locomotor and object control subtests, and descriptive ratings. An anamnesis was applied to parents with questions about children’s routine, kinds of places they go in their free time; time they play; time using electronic games; family socioeconomic level; and if the child participated or not in some oriented sport practice. A superiority of PEA group upon GC in all TGMD-2 measures was observed. In general, results show that the involvement of children with oriented sport practice can contribute to the motor development process.