Exploring the relationships between fundamental movement skills and health related fitness components in children.

This study examined the relationship between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and health related fitness (HRF) components in children. A cross section of Irish primary school children across all age groups participated in this study (n=2098, 47% girls, age 5-12 years of age, mean age 9.2 ± 2.04). FMS were measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3), along with two additional assessments of vertical jump and balance. All HRF components were also assessed: body composition through BMI and waist circumference, muscular strength (MS) using a hand dynamometer, muscular endurance (ME) through the plank test, flexibility with back-saver sit-and-reach, and cardiovascular endurance (CVE) using the 20 m PACER test. Hierarchal multiple regressions were used to measure associations between the HRF components and overall FMS and the FMS subtests: locomotor, object control and balance skills. Results show significant positive relationships between FMS and MS (