Impact of cultural background on fundamental movement skill and its correlates

ABSTRACT

Children’s fundamental movement skill levels (FMS) predict moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA). Asian children have been reported as less active than English-Europeans, possibly due to poorer skills. This study compared the FMS of children from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds and examined FMS correlates. A total of 261 children (122 males) aged 9-to-11 years were divided based on language spoken at home: English-European (n = 105) and Asian (n = 156). Height, mass, FMS (Test of Gross Motor Development-2), MVPA (accelerometer) and cardio-respiratory fitness (20m multistage shuttle run) were directly measured. Sex, age, language and perceived sport competence (CY-PSPP) were self-reported. Independent sample t-tests assessed age, BMI, FMS and perception by CALD group. Linear mixed models examined FMS correlates. Asian-speaking children had lower object control skill (35.5 v 37.2; CI [0.17, 3.18]; p < 0.03) compared to English-European- children, but no between-group differences in locomotor skills were observed. Fitness, physical activity and sport competence perception were positively associated with object control, yet adjusting for these variables (and age and BMI) did not remove the CALD effect (B = −2.02, SE = 0.69, p = 0.004). Cultural factors may affect object control competence in Asian-Australian children.

KEYWORDS:

• Object control skill
• locomotor
• physical activity
• physical self-perception
• ethnicity

Acknowledgments

We acknowledge the students and schools who participated in the data collection.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Australian Sports Commission; Department of Education and Early Childhood Development, State Government of Victoria; National Health and Medical Research Council [1041020]; Cricket Australia.

Notes on contributors

Lisa M. Barnett

RD Telford was the lead researcher on the broader trial, which this data is drawn from. Barnett and Strugnell oversaw the design, implementation and evaluation of the present study. RM Telford, Rudd and Strugnell were responsible for the analysis of the data. L Olive was responsible for the psychological component of the trial. All authors were involved in critically refining the paper and had final approval of the submitted and published versions. Strugnell is a researcher within the National Health and Medical Research Council (NHMRC) Centre for Research Excellence in Obesity Policy and Food Systems (APP1041020).