Actual and Perceived Motor Competence Levels of Belgian and United States Preschool Children

• Published in: Journal of motor learning and development 2018-10, Vol.6 (s2), p.S320-S336
• Main Authors: Brian, Ali, Bardid, Farid, Barnett, Lisa M., Deconinck, Frederik J.A., Lenoir, Matthieu, Goodway, Jacqueline D.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cultural differences; Preschool children; Skills
• ISSN: 2325-3193; 2325-3215
• DOI: 10.1123/jmld.2016-0071

Purpose: The present study examined the motor competence of preschool children from Belgium and the United States (US), and the influence of perceived motor competence on actual motor competence. A secondary objective was to compare the levels of motor competence of Belgian and US children using the US norms of the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition (TGMD-2). Methods : All participants ( N  = 326; ages 4–5 years) completed the TGMD-2 and the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for Young Children. Results : Belgian children performed significantly higher on actual object control and locomotor skills than US children. However, both Belgian and US children scored significantly worse on the TGMD-2 when compared to the US norm group from 1997–1998. Furthermore, perceived motor competence was significantly related to actual object control skills but not locomotor skills. Conclusion : The present study showed cross-cultural differences in actual motor competence in young children. The findings also indicate a secular downward trend in childhood competence levels, possibly due to a decrease in physical activity and increase in sedentary behavior. Future research should consider conducting an in-depth exploration of physical activity contexts such as physical education to better understand cross-cultural differences in motor competence.