Fundamental motor skills of preadolescents in northern Italy: a cross-sectional comparison between the '70s and the present days

INTRODUCTION : Among the most common gross-motor abilities running, jumping and throwing have been considered some of the most important fundamental motor skills (FMS).Their development, 30 years ago,was guaranteed and performed throught a natural and active life style.Today the scholastic sport activitie and the structured extra scholastic sport activities are not enough to guarantee quantity and quality of motor development of our preadolescents. The study shows how since the late 1970s one can see a progressive motor impoverishment related to the principal gross-motor abilities(1),caused by the diminution of movement opportunities for our children(2)and by the advent of computers,cellular telephones and electronic static games. METHODS :In the year 1976 a test battery was proposed to 1000 students.The same test battery was proposed to 500 students in 2007.The data have been collected through the scholastic system by submitting tests during PE lessons after a 20 minutes warm-up.Test battery: Speed run (boys mt.80; girls mt.60), Endurance run(mt.1000), Long Jump, High jump, precision throw (Basket drought) and strength throw (one hand throwing of a little ball), twine-skip test and pole-climb test. RESULTS :After 30 years significant differences have been noticed in the weight, in the height and in the Body Mass Index. Today boys and girls are taller and heavier and we can also notice a marked increase in BMI.All data have been compared with NCHS Growth Charts(3). In all tests we noticed a loss of ability. These differencies are more evident in endurance and power abilities than in precision tasks. Regarding the gender, these difference are more evident in the girls (increase average of failure 18,59 %) than the in boys (increase average of failure 15,31 %). Differences among the participants according to their ages and birth date were analysed with Pearson’s Chi-square test and statistical significance have been confirmed by the O.R.(odds ratio) values. DISCUSSION:The lack of motor activities in natural environment, the increase of static games, the disappearance of the old courtyard games, the lack of suitable scholastic programs are the causes that, in our opinion, have led to a reduction of FMS. To solve these problems, the following actions seem mandatory: 1)Increase the sporting offer inside the scholastic system;2)Invite P.E. teachers to propose more coordinating exercises based on gross-motor abilities;3)Allocate at least two free afternoons for sporting activities;4)Support a closer interaction and collaboration between scholastic system, out-of-school sportive system and families, in order to enhance a better lifestyle necessary to preserve children health. REFERENCES 1) F.Casolo et al (2007). Abstracts of PWP Congress, Tallin,,Vol 14:64-65 2) F.Casolo et al (2006). Proceedings of the Sport for all Congress, Havana 3) NCHS, CDC Growth Charts (2000) , Hyattsville USA