The efficacy of gymnastics to improve movement skill competence in children

Internationally children’s movement skill competence levels are low. Cross-sectional evidence, suggests that children participating in gymnastics possess enhanced orientation and stabilisation skills leading to a better understanding of where the body is in space. Therefore gymnastics may offer an excellent opportunity to develop children’s movement skill competence. The primary aim of this thesis was to evaluate whether a gymnastics programme embedded within the Physical Education (PE) curriculum could develop children’s actual and perceived movement skill competence. In order to achieve the primary aim, it was necessary to gain a greater understanding of the constructs which underpin movement skill competence in children. Consequently, a secondary aim was to evaluate the role that locomotive, object control, stability skills and general body coordination play in the development of movement skill competence in children