Physical Education-Based Interventions Contribute to the Development of Fundamental Movement Skills in Primary School-Aged Children: A Systematic Review

Physical education (PE) programs are uniquely situated to promote the development of fundamental movement skills (FMS). The aim of this systematic review was to examine the elements of PE-based interventions globally for the development of FMS, as assessed through the test of gross motor development (TGMD). A systematic literature search was conducted. Two reviewers screened studies based on title and abstract, and again by full text, to assess the eligibility of the articles. Nineteen studies met all of the inclusion criteria. All studies reported significant intervention effects, with different approaches to reporting scores in the TGMD. Examination of the articles demonstrated that FMS are a global focus in PE programs and that interventions can take on different lengths and formats and still demonstrate improved FMS proficiency. Observation of TGMD demonstrated a need for future research to complete the entirety of the TGMD subtests and report complete scores. Primary observations of interventions included the duration of the intervention, the delivery of the intervention by teachers with training, and the breadth of interventions that may be useful. PE-based interventions should focus on quality PE rather than quantity, such as teaching strategies and interventions incorporated into the typical PE program, and emphasize FMS concepts.