The general sport motor function ability of Luxembourgian pupils. An analogy between legends and facts

Gaston Malane, Werner Becker

The analysis at hand deals with the question as to whether the physical ability of Luxembourgian pupils has altered. To show this, the current data on physical fitness is compared to older reference values. We chose to focus on pupils from the first and second grades aged six to eight because those have not been analyzed in recent studies (Bös et al., 2005) and also because possible causes for an emerging trend are more likely to have affected younger children, as a change in consciousness – coupled with corresponding actions – possibly had a lower chance of becoming effective. Here, two examinations will be discussed, the first of which has been edited and shortened. Two coincidental observations seem to be significant enough to be verified through a repeated random sample. In an additional synopsis, one could draw conclusions on the sport motor function ability of Luxembourgian pupils. Out of this one could initiate curricular and extracurricular physical activities for the students, with focus on the relation and behaviour in these area (Becker, 2008). Results showed that the average performances of the pupils of 1st and 2nd grades in comparison to the old standard values have remained constant, but the form of distribution has changed: There is a higher frequency of well above-average and well below-average performances. The results of Study II demonstrated that children sent to school at the appropriate age show better performances than older children and that boys perform better than girls. Differences between nationalities could not be found.

Suggested Citation

Becker, W. & Malane, G. (2012). The general sport motor function ability of Luxembourgian pupils. An analogy between legends and facts. International Journal of Physical Education, XLIX(4), 23–32.

Institution

Year

2012

Key words

sports

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