Motor Skills

1
SKILL RELATED FITNESS
Motor Skills These skills are different from
health and fitness factors. A for Agility B for
Balance C for Co-ordination P for Power R for
Reaction-time S for Speed Having good motor
skills may help us to become fitter, and
certainly helps us to become good at sports, but
as with fitness factors, they can be developed
and improved. Different sports may need more of
one motor skill than another, though many need a
mix. A is for Agility
Defined as The ability to change the position
of the body quickly and to control movement of
your whole body. For example Gymnastics
floorwork B is for Balance Defined as
The ability to retain the centre of mass
(gravity) of the body above the base of support
with reference to static -stationary or dynamic
changing conditions of movement shape and
orientation. For example Beam work in
Gymnastics, Archery, Pistol Shooting.
2
SKILL RELATED FITNESS
Motor Skills C is for Co-ordination Defined as
The ability to use two or more body parts
together. Specifics types of co-ordination 1)
Hand-eye co-ordination for a goalkeeper to
catch or punch the ball when it is crossed. 2)
Foot-eye co-ordination needed to strike the
ball to pass, shoot or control it. 3) Head-eye
co-ordination needed to strike The ball with
the head in order to clear a centre or aim at
the target to score. People tend to be better
co-ordinated on one side of their body, i.e.
right hand better than left, or left foot better
than right. For example Right-handed bowling in
Cricket.
P is for Power Defined as The ability
to do strength performances quickly. Power
Strength x Speed An increase in your strength or
an increase in your speed will result in an
increase in your power. For example 100m
sprinters need to be Powerful in order to drive
their bodies out of the blocks or discus throwers
need a combination of strength and speed to
propel an object and themselves.
3
SKILL RELATED FITNESS
Motor Skills R is for Reaction Time Defined as
The time between the presentation of the
stimulas and the onset of movement. The
trigger is pulled, the gun fires, the
athletes start to run the time in between is
known as reaction time. Another example A ball
or shuttle is struck by a racket and the receiver
has to react to the sight. It is possible to
improve reactions by practice or anticipation
from experience of playing the game.

• S is for Speed
• Defined as The differential rate an
• individual is able to perform a movement or
• cover a distance in a short period of time.
• For example
• Speed of leg (Linford Christie)
• Speed of limbs
• Speed of thought (Prince Naseem)
• Speed can be improved by practice (e.g.
• sprinters practice fast leg and arm
• movements when running on the spot).