The effect of balance on the real and perceived motor competence of 7 –and 8-year-old children

ABSTRACT The aims of the present study were to observe the values of balance, Motor Competence (MC) and Perceived Motor Competence (PMC) in pupils between 7 and 8 years of age, as well as to find out the effect of a program focused on balance work over MC, PMC and balance itself, and the differences according to sex. The sample consisted of 10 boys and 7 girls, belonging to the second year of Primary Education (Mage= 7.6 years; SD= .24). A pre-experimental repeated measures study design was used. The instruments used were the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3) to analyse actual motor competence, the Pictographic Scale of Perceived Motor Skills Competence (PMSC) to analyse their perceived motor competence, and the Stability Skills test for balance. A 10-session programme, in which balance was the main aim, was implemented. The results indicated improvements in all dimensions, with differences according to the gender of the participants. Therefore, it can be concluded that specific balance work can improve not only balance but also real and perceived motor competence, although more studies are needed on sex differences.