Physical Literacy in Elementary Physical Education: A Survey of Fundamental Movement Skill Practice Patterns

Abstract

Purpose: To describe fundamental movement skill (FMS) practice patterns in the elementary physical education (PE) curriculum.

Methods: A cross-sectional survey was sent to PE teachers of grades 1 through 6. Sixty-eight responses were included for analysis.

Results: Only 38.2% of teachers taught all 12 FMS components. Compared with PE teachers for grades 4 to 6, a significantly higher proportion of PE teachers for grades 1 to 3 taught all 12 FMS and used direct instruction methods. For children falling behind, only 8.8% reported referring to an exercise program and no PE teacher sought a health care referral. A video abstract can be found in Supplemental Digital Content 1 (available at: http://links.lww.com/PPT/A342).