Introduction to Movement Competency
Introduction to Movement Competency
Module No. 1
Week 2
The Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) are some of the most common actions from childhood to
adulthood. FMS consists of three skills groups that define physical literacy which are the non-
locomotor, locomotor, and manipulative skills.
Non-Locomotor
- Any movement that does not travel but uses the available space in any direction or movement
arranged around the axis of the body; bending, twisting, stretching, and swinging are examples
of axial movement.
Locomotor
- Locomotor movement abilities are those in which the body moves in one direction or a mix of
directions from one location to another. Walking, jogging, going forwards and backwards, side-
shuffling, skipping, running, jumping, hopping, and leaping are examples of essential locomotor
actions.
Manipulative
- Manipulative movements are those that entail the use of a bodily part, such as the hands or
feet, to move or manipulate an item. Manipulative motions can involve big motor abilities such
as kicking or bouncing a ball as well as fine motor skills such as writing or drawing. In sports,
manipulative motor abilities are frequently required.
Assessing the physical activity level of readiness is critical because it determines an individual's preparedness for physical activities by evaluating current fitness levels and identifying any medical concerns. This assessment helps ensure safety and maximize the effectiveness of physical activity plans. The PAR-Q is commonly used to identify potential health risks, ensuring appropriate measures are taken before participating in fitness tests or activities .
Manipulative movements are important in sports and daily activities because they involve using limbs to control or move objects. In sports, this includes kicking, catching, or dribbling a ball, which requires coordination and precision. In daily life, manipulative skills are used for tasks like writing or cooking, requiring fine motor precision. These movements develop hand-eye coordination and dexterity, essential for performance in various settings .
Locomotor movement proficiency is essential for effective participation in physical activities throughout life as it forms the basis for moving and navigating within one's environment. Skills like walking, running, and jumping are fundamental for engaging in sports, recreational activities, and everyday functions. These movements underpin more complex skills and enhance physical fitness, social engagement, and lifelong physical activity participation .
Manipulative movements involve handling objects, using gross and fine motor skills like kicking or writing. Locomotor movements involve moving the body through space in directions such as walking or running. Non-locomotor movements are body movements around a stationary axis, including bending or stretching. Each type of movement develops different skill sets, important for physical activity and sports proficiency, contributing to comprehensive movement competence .
Core training principles of progression, regression, and overload enhance movement efficiency by systematically increasing exercise difficulty and intensity. Progression involves gradually increasing the challenge of exercises to build strength and endurance. Regression provides simpler variations for those who need to build foundational strength. The principle of overload involves increasing the intensity to stimulate adaptation, ensuring continuous improvements in core strength and ultimately improving movement efficiency and stability .
The three groups of Fundamental Movement Skills (FMS) consist of non-locomotor, locomotor, and manipulative skills. Non-locomotor skills involve movements that do not travel but are arranged around the body's axis, like bending and stretching. Locomotor skills move the body in various directions, such as walking and running. Manipulative skills involve moving or manipulating an object with body parts, requiring both gross and fine motor abilities, such as kicking a ball or writing. Together, these contribute to physical literacy by helping individuals move competently and confidently in diverse situations and across a lifespan .
Non-locomotor movements enhance stability and coordination by focusing on controlling the body around a central axis without traveling through space. These movements include bending, twisting, and swinging, which improve the body's ability to maintain postural control and coordination, crucial for performing complex physical tasks and sports that require balance and core stability .
Core training plays a crucial role in improving an individual's stability and mobility by working on the muscles that stabilize the spine and pelvis. Regular core exercises enhance muscle strength and coordination, which in turn increases stability. Improved mobility results from these strengthened muscles, allowing a fuller range of movement in various activities, thereby enhancing overall performance and reducing injury risk .
Understanding core training enhances physical performance by strengthening the muscles around the midsection, which includes the belly, hips, pelvis, and lower back. This training helps maintain and balance the body during movements, improving efficiency. Core training follows principles of progression, regression, and overload, ensuring gradual improvement in stability and mobility, leading to better movement efficiency .
Not conducting a physical readiness assessment like the PAR-Q could lead to unrecognized health issues exacerbating during physical activities, increased risk of injury, and ineffective exercise programs. These risks can be mitigated by performing the assessment to identify any medical or physical limitations, consulting with healthcare professionals to address concerns, and tailoring exercise programs to suit individual needs and abilities, ensuring safety and maximizing benefits .


