ORIGINAL ARTICLES   

Gazzetta Medica Italiana Archivio per le Scienze Mediche 2012 February;171(1):13-26

Copyright © 2012 EDIZIONI MINERVA MEDICA

language: English

The KiMo test: a motor screening for pre-school children aged 3-6 years

Klein D. ¹, Koch B. ¹, Dordel S. ², Strüder H. ¹, Graf C. ¹

¹ Institute of Movement and Neurosciences, German Sport University Cologne, Cologne, Germany ² Institute of School Sport and,School Development, German Sport University Cologne,Cologne, Germany

Aim. Motor tests are used for the assessment of motor performance and to evaluate the effects of activity interventions. To date, there are few valid test instruments available for children at pre-school age. The following study presents a practicable and economic test battery for the age group from 3 – 6 years (the KiMo test). The aim was to create a valid instrument to screen different motor abilities.
Methods. The battery consists of five test items: shuttle run (speed), standing long jump (speed strength), one leg stand (coordination, static balance), sit and reach (flexibility), and lateral jumping (coordination, strength endurance). 2283 children between 3 and 6 years (53.4% male) were tested. Gender-specific reference values are provided in half-year intervals based on a percentile system. Test-retest values of the test items were assessed to prove reliability and objectivity (N.=152).
Results. Correlation coefficients amounted to r=0.76 (shuttle run), r=0.79 (standing long jump), r=0.58 (one leg stand), r=0.84 (sit and reach) and r=0.83 (lateral jumping).
Conclusion. In summary, the KiMo test fulfils the necessary quality criteria and is a suitable instrument for screening motor abilities of pre-school children aged 3 – 6 years. It may be employed in further studies concerning the evaluation of health promotion and activity interventions.