Motor skills and fitness in African children: the PERF-FIT study

Africa is facing an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) due to changing lifestyles and dietary habits. Children with developmental delays in motor coordination are particularly less inclined to engage in physical play and sports, putting them at risk of reduced fitness, overweight, and eventually NCDs. While several motor performance tests exist, they were not designed for African children and lack valid norms. As the results of an African-led initiative, a contextually relevant motor performance test was developed, the PERFormance and FITness test battery (PERF-FIT), that is open-source and specifically tailored for low-resource African settings. This study provides the first age- and sex-specific motor skill norms for African children aged 6–12. By generating normative data alongside its previously established robust psychometric properties, the PERF-FIT is positioned as a critical resource for clinicians, educators, and policymakers working to monitor and enhance motor performance and physical fitness among African children.