Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar/handle/123456789/12716
Title: Fundamental motor skills, physical activity levels and academic achievement in Maltese middle school children
Authors: Muscat, Brenda
Saliba, Henriette
Keywords: Movement education -- Malta
Academic achievement -- Malta
Movement, Psychology of
Exercise for youth -- Malta
Teenagers -- Malta
Issue Date: 2015
Abstract: International research has shown that fundamental motor skills (FMS) competence leads to active participation in physical activity (PA) and sports which ultimately affects cognitive function and academic achievement (AA). This study looks into the FMS and PA competence of seventy-three Maltese children, aged 11-12 years in middle-state schools and the relationship between children‟s PA and AA. PA was calculated through accelerometry and children wore an Actigraph GT3X, for 7 consecutive days. Eight standardised FMS tests were conducted to evaluate skill mastery while AA was based on Annual examination marks. Data was examined by gender and school type, using statistical tests including T-test and Pearson correlation. In this study, only 42.5% achieved the recommended 60 minutes of daily moderate-tovigorous physical activity (MVPA) as recommended by WHO, 2010. The boys (61%) engaged in 1 hour 2 minutes of MVPA while the girls (24%) engaged in 46 minutes and boys also performed better in FMS tests (boys 83.7%; girls 77.6%). Girls attending a specialised sport school (SSS) performed better in FMS and PA levels than boys in state schools. More students from the SSS (77%) sat for a Level 7-8 examination paper than state schools (63%). A highly significant correlation was found between FMS and PA while no significance was found between PA and AA. Locally, the promotion of PA levels in all school sectors is recommended since this study has shown that PA does not hinder AA.
Description: B.ED.(HONS)
URI: https://www.um.edu.mt/library/oar//handle/123456789/12716
Appears in Collections:Dissertations - FacEdu - 2015

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