Just the tip of the iceberg

The motor development of children between 6 and 12 years old can be monitored through the scientifically validated and reliable MQ Scan, which is an exercise track that originated from the vision of the Athletic Skills Model. It provides a fun and fast way to monitor motor skills. The faster a child goes round the track, the better its MQ score will be. Is it true so say that movement skills are good, when it doesn’t take a child  long to complete the MQ track? An answer can be found in the study published by Annelies Brocken (VU University Amsterdam). This study shows that evaluations of the quality of movement performed by physical education teachers, correlate with how fast a child completes the MQ track. This means that, when a child completes the MQ Scan faster, it also has better movement skills. Why is this the case?

Vision of the Athletic Skills Model (ASM)
Making a step a 1000 times while walking or running equals a 1000 different ways of executing it. The same applies to the MQ Scan: performing the MQ Scan a 1000 times equals a 1000 different patterns of movement. The result is comparable, but the way of performing is different each time. Instead of aiming for one ideal way of performing, it is much more interesting to develop adaptation skills. For the quality of movement it’s also important that different skills are efficiently linked to each other. ASM splits this complex coordination control into seven overlapping Coordination Abilities: differential ability, orientation ability, coupling ability, reaction ability, balance ability and rhythm ability.

The quality of moving is embedded in the speed at which a child completes the MQ Scan. Developing a skill in one specific form doesn’t mean its overall motor skills are better and it will complete the MQ Scan faster. The child will become faster when it is able to apply its coordinative abilities in an efficient way. Improving coordination therefore, can’t just be expressed in separate skills or expressions of movement skills. The solution can be found in the development of a strong capacity to adapt. According to ASM, this is possible by a diverse contribution of the ten Basic Movement Skills. All of those skills make use of the seven coordination abilities mentioned above. As a result the child will have better movement skills and therefore will be faster completing the MQ Scan.

High-quality movement is visible while performing, but this is only the tip of the iceberg. An important part of the motor skills is hard to see, because it contains the previously mentioned complex aspects of coordination. Take, for example, the somersault. This is a skill that is often addressed in exercise programs for young children and is also included in the MQ Scan. The visible execution shows a straight roll forward. If a child has difficulties performing a somersault, you could try to find exercises that match the level of the somersault, so that the child can practise and improve its performance. Programs based on complex coordination movement are, for example, aimed at spatial orientation, rhythmic or balance abilities. These abilities will develop by rolling, tumbling and turning around all body axes, in all directions and in a variety of environments. The exercise material offered can contain elements such as backwards, diagonal and sideways rolls, cartwheels, judo rolls, free running, gymnastics, swimming and other movements. All these elements are related to the somersault, as they are based on spatial orientation and will help the child to develop and inevitably enhance its motor skills. A structured and differentiated offer of exercises will result in a sustainable development of these complex coordination movements. The exercise programs also offer more possibilities and variation. This results in improved movements and lots of fun!

Take a look at the Athletic Skills Model, if you want to learn more about the Athletic Skills Model philosophy. Here you’ll find information and contact details about the organization, implementation and operation of the ASM.