Sex differences in gross motor competence in Italian children aged 3–11 years: a large-scale cross-sectional study
Sex differences in gross motor competence in Italian children aged 3–11 years: a large-scale cross-sectional study
Background/objectives: in recent years, there has been a significant increase in studies examining motor learning during preschool age and the early years of primary school. This study aimed to investigate sex differences in gross motor competence among Italian children aged 3–11 years.
Methods: a convenience sample of 8500 children (mean age = 8.37 years, SD = 1.98; 50% female) was included in this cross-sectional study. Gross motor skills were assessed using the Italian version of the Test of Gross Motor Development–3, which evaluates locomotion and ball control skills. A Linear Mixed Model was applied to examine the interaction between sex and age, with school included as a random intercept and BMI as a covariate.
Results: the results revealed a consistent trend of boys achieving significantly higher total scores for global motor competence (p < 0.001) across all age groups, except at age 11. Boys also demonstrated superior performance in ball control skills (p < 0.005) at all ages. In contrast, no significant differences were observed for locomotion skills overall. However, girls outperform boys in locomotor skills at ages 6, 7, and 8 (p < 0.001), with this trend disappearing by age 9.
Conclusions: these findings highlight important sex-related differences in gross motor development during childhood, influenced by both biological and environmental factors. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions in educational settings to provide equitable opportunities for motor skill development, particularly for girls. Enhancing the quality of physical education and addressing gender disparities can support the acquisition of essential motor skills and promote lifelong physical activity.
children, gross motor development, motor competence, sex
D’Anna, Cristiana
a06b7b44-ec03-4ae2-92d0-6b77e6823d40
Carlevaro, Fabio
64db4e9a-72d3-4948-b2c2-c54d85f27528
Magno, Francesca
87ecfc99-275f-49a9-9681-36ed9671fdbf
Vagnetti, Roberto
769db927-be78-4c31-84c5-5ed4379c6fea
Limone, Pierpaolo
3af2c604-53dd-4d1a-b4be-1d7ed98d2fce
Magistro, Daniele
ab9296bc-fda6-469e-a3f8-3a574faa1b7e
10 February 2025
D’Anna, Cristiana
a06b7b44-ec03-4ae2-92d0-6b77e6823d40
Carlevaro, Fabio
64db4e9a-72d3-4948-b2c2-c54d85f27528
Magno, Francesca
87ecfc99-275f-49a9-9681-36ed9671fdbf
Vagnetti, Roberto
769db927-be78-4c31-84c5-5ed4379c6fea
Limone, Pierpaolo
3af2c604-53dd-4d1a-b4be-1d7ed98d2fce
Magistro, Daniele
ab9296bc-fda6-469e-a3f8-3a574faa1b7e
D’Anna, Cristiana, Carlevaro, Fabio, Magno, Francesca, Vagnetti, Roberto, Limone, Pierpaolo and Magistro, Daniele
(2025)
Sex differences in gross motor competence in Italian children aged 3–11 years: a large-scale cross-sectional study.
Journal of Functional Morphology and Kinesiology, 10 (1), [61].
(doi:10.3390/jfmk10010061).
Abstract
Background/objectives: in recent years, there has been a significant increase in studies examining motor learning during preschool age and the early years of primary school. This study aimed to investigate sex differences in gross motor competence among Italian children aged 3–11 years.
Methods: a convenience sample of 8500 children (mean age = 8.37 years, SD = 1.98; 50% female) was included in this cross-sectional study. Gross motor skills were assessed using the Italian version of the Test of Gross Motor Development–3, which evaluates locomotion and ball control skills. A Linear Mixed Model was applied to examine the interaction between sex and age, with school included as a random intercept and BMI as a covariate.
Results: the results revealed a consistent trend of boys achieving significantly higher total scores for global motor competence (p < 0.001) across all age groups, except at age 11. Boys also demonstrated superior performance in ball control skills (p < 0.005) at all ages. In contrast, no significant differences were observed for locomotion skills overall. However, girls outperform boys in locomotor skills at ages 6, 7, and 8 (p < 0.001), with this trend disappearing by age 9.
Conclusions: these findings highlight important sex-related differences in gross motor development during childhood, influenced by both biological and environmental factors. The results underscore the need for targeted interventions in educational settings to provide equitable opportunities for motor skill development, particularly for girls. Enhancing the quality of physical education and addressing gender disparities can support the acquisition of essential motor skills and promote lifelong physical activity.
Text
jfmk-10-00061-v2
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More information
Accepted/In Press date: 7 February 2025
Published date: 10 February 2025
Keywords:
children, gross motor development, motor competence, sex
Identifiers
Local EPrints ID: 506012
URI: http://eprints.soton.ac.uk/id/eprint/506012
ISSN: 2411-5142
PURE UUID: eaf96c24-c7f2-4377-a4cf-4cdbecbedd19
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Date deposited: 27 Oct 2025 17:55
Last modified: 01 Nov 2025 03:11
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Contributors
Author:
Cristiana D’Anna
Author:
Fabio Carlevaro
Author:
Francesca Magno
Author:
Roberto Vagnetti
Author:
Pierpaolo Limone
Author:
Daniele Magistro
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