ABSTRACT
This chapter examines the importance of fundamental movement skills (FMS) before considering the prevalence of skill proficiency among children and adolescents and how these skills develop. It focuses on literature surrounding interventions to improve the acquisition and mastery of FMS followed by a discussion of key themes emerging from the scientific evidence base and deals with a list of recommendations for FMS interventions in research and practice. The evidence summarized indicates that FMS are important for positive health and developmental trajectories for children and adolescents. Proficient performance of FMS requires the development of motor control, precision and accuracy, which in turn builds movement efficiency and confidence. Childhood obesity was found to be negatively associated with FMS competence, in particular locomotor and stability skills. Childhood and adolescence represent important periods for developing, applying and specializing in FMS. Learning of FMS or learning in any domain is dependent on the pedagogical approaches used by the practitioner or teacher.
