Development of Fundamental Movement: Chapter 11 Development of Fundamental Movement: Manipulation Skills Theory and Models ©Gallahue, D.L., Ozmun, J.C., Goodway, J.D. (2012). Understanding Motor Development. Boston: McGraw-Hill. © 2012 McGraw-Hill Companies. All Rights Reserved. McGraw-Hill/Irwin

Key Concept (11.1) The childhood years should be focused on developing basic motor competence and efficient body mechanics in a wide variety of movement skills and situations.

Fundamental Motor Skills Fundamental Motor Skills (FMS) or Fundamental Movement Patterns – a set of basic skills that make up the skills for sports, games & lifetime activities. Constitute the movement ABCs. FMS are equivalent to “letters” or “words”. Critical for the development of further movement skills such as sports & games across the lifespan. Basic competence & efficient body mechanics should be developed in the early childhood (3-7 years).

Definitions Locomotion – moving the body through space against gravity. Moving from one point in space to another. Eg. Running or jumping. Manipulation – manipulation of object/s such as bats, rackets and balls. E.g striking or kicking. Stability – Control of the body against gravity. E.g. balance or sway.

Theory & Models Dynamic Systems Theory Newell’s Constraint’s Model Concept 11.2 – Individual, environmental and task constraints influence a child’s motor performance but can also be manipulated by teachers, coaches and clinicians to promote the motor development of children. Developmental Trajectory Model Developmental Stage Theory, developmental sequences & Dynamic Systems Theory

Newell’s Constraints Model Concept 11.2 – Individual, environmental & task constraints influence a child’s motor performance but can also be manipulated by teachers, coaches & clinicians to promote motor development of children. LEARNER Hand-eye coordination Tracking abilities Fine motor control Motivation Catching Dynamic systems theory recognizes that movement is the product of interaction between constraints from the child (learner), task & environment. ENVIRONMENT Size, shape & color of ball . Distance from tosser Speed of ball Position to which ball tossed Instruction TASK Nature of catching task e.g. catching a self tossed bean bag or a fly ball in softball

Developmental Mechanisms Influencing Physical Activity Trajectories of Children

FMS and Physical Activity Motor competence plays a key role in supporting (or not) physical activity behaviors across childhood & adolescence. Negative spiral of disengagement - Low motor competence over time will drive low physical activity levels & low perceived motor competence & physical fitness. Together these factors will interact to “drive” children downward into greater degrees of physical inactivity. Positive spiral of engagement – High motor competence over time will drive greater levels of physical activity & higher perceived motor competence & physical fitness. Together these factors will “drive” children upward into greater degrees of physical activity. Stodden, D. F., Goodway, J. D., Langendorfer, S. A, Roberton, M. A., Rudisill, M. E., Garcia, C., & Garcia, L. (2008). Quest,60, 290-306.

Concept 11.3 The development of motor competence in the early childhood years is to important engagement in physical activity and building positive perceptions of motor competence across childhood and adolescence.

Developmental Stage Theory Sequences of FMS Developmental sequences – predictable or common patterns of movement organized from less efficient to more efficient patterns. Developed under the core premises of stage theory Total Body Sequences – describe the pattern of movement of the whole body (one number represents the pattern). Component or Segmental Sequences – describe the pattern of individual body components in the performance of a movement (multiple numbers represent the pattern). Developmental sequences have been more recently conceptualized within Dynamic systems theory.

Dynamic Systems Theory & FMS Sequences Dynamic systems theory - a theory of movement that recognizes the complex, embedded and dynamic nature of movement. Behavioral Attractors - common, stable, patterns of movement seen in specific situations that can be altered. Developmental sequences can be conceptualized as behavioral attractors - movement options from which children can select. Strong attractors – attractors that are so embedded they are difficult to change. Weak attractors – can be changed more readily by environmental & task constraints. By understanding behavioral attractors practitioners can manipulate aspects of the task & environment to promote the movement patterns they see as desireable.

Concluding Concept Concept 11.4 – Developmental sequences can be identified for many FMS. These common patterns of movement are behavioral attractors that represent movement options from which a child can chose in a given movement context.