Question

motor development question:

1. Discuss the concept of motor competence in relation to the late childhood/adolescence stage of motor development. How does one acquire motor competence in this stage? What do they need to have from the previous stage? How is motor competence in this stage different for an athlete/non-athlete?
2. What level and frequency/intensity of practice/training is “ok” for a young athlete? What are the dangers with early specialization?

Answer 1

Ans. Motor competence is one of the predictive factors of physical fitness. Motor competency can be explained as the persons ability to carry out different motor arts. Children and adoloscent with less motor competency are less active in their physical activities.

Employing appropriate strategies to target motor skill development across the childhood years ss of paramount interest in shaping the child's physical activity behaviour and well as to maintain their physical activity throughout their lifespan.

Early sports training for younger athletes do not appear to enhance athletic axheivement or abilities and it is not able to predict future excellence in athletics. Most children are physically and cognitively equipped to participate and compete in sports by the age of 12 years and are able to comprehend the complex tasks in athletics.

When deciding about the training programme, the FITT i.e. frequency, intensity, time and type principles must be followed. However pre pubertal athletes should be aware that high intensity and resistance training programmes involve max loads and too frequent repeated resistance exercises are prone to injury.