Abstract

Motor fitness is considered as an integral component of skill related fitness that includes aspects of neuromuscular fitness such as agility, coordination, balance, power, speed and reaction time that enables a person to perform a specific skill, activity or game successfully. This brief review focuses on studies concerning motor fitness in children. In case of children, attainment of motor competency is dictated by various factors that are crucial in both sustaining as well as honing their motor skills. Biological maturity, physical fitness and body composition in children are some of the factors that are vital in attainment of motor proficiency. Advancement of age and healthy weight gain status in children, both have been identified as crucial aspects conducive to motor skill development which in children has been found to have dual benefits as it also facilitates performance of higher order cognitive tasks. Therefore, changes in policy level interventions should emphasize on holistic development of children with special attention given to regular participation in physical activities apart from educational excellence through age specific training design. Optimal levels of motor proficiency may be attained if interventions are given early before the attainment of puberty and continued till adulthood.

Keywords: Motor fitness; Children; Physical activity; Biological maturity; Body composition; Health

Abbreviations: VJT: Vertical Jump Test; BMI: Body Mass Index; W/H: Waist, Hip Ratio; PA: Physical Activity; MABC 2: Movement Assessment Battery for Children 2nd edition; MPA: Moderate Physical Activity; MVPA: Moderate-to-Vigorous Physical Activity; UK: United Kingdom; CSPAP: Comprehensive School Physical Activity Programme; US: United States; SES: Socio Economic Status