The feasibility of fundamental movement skill assessments for pre-school aged children

Brooke Klingberg, Natasha Schranz, Lisa M. Barnett, Verity Booth, Katia Ferrar

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

36 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Fundamental movement skill (FMS) assessment in preschools allows for early intervention; however it is unclear what assessments are feasible. The purpose of this review is to systematically review the feasibility of FMS assessments for pre-school aged children. The search was conducted across four databases, MEDLINE, Scopus, ERIC and SportsDiscus. Search terms included synonyms of “fundamental movement skills” and “pre-school children”. Inclusion criteria were: (i) FMS assessment; (ii) feasibility data; (iii) assessment of children aged three to six years; (iv) assessment of typically developing children; and (v) peer reviewed full text publications in English. Feasibility concepts (administration time, equipment, space, assessment type, item, training, qualification) were each coded as ‘poor = 1ʹ, ‘average = 2ʹ and ‘good = 3ʹ; potential total of 21. A total of 330 full text articles were considered but a quarter (n = 86) were excluded due to no feasibility data. Sixty-five studies using 13 different FMS assessments were included. The Athletic Skills Track and DEMOST-PRE assessments were most feasible (18/21) and the Test of Gross Motor Development and Movement Assessment Battery for Children were common but among the least feasible (12–14/21). This review allows pre-school staff to choose a FMS assessment based on feasibility. Future studies need to present feasibility of assessments.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)378-386
Number of pages9
JournalJournal of Sports Sciences
Volume37
Issue number4
Early online date7 Aug 2018
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2019
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • assessment
  • child
  • feasibility
  • Fundamental movement skills
  • motor skills
  • preschool

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