Development and Preliminary Validation of Movement Lexicon for Qualitative Analysis of Fundamental Movement Skills in Indian Children Aged 6-15 Years

1. To develop and standardize  a uniform approach for documenting FMS specific to the Indian context for children aged 6 to 15 years.
2. To formulate and validate a movement lexicon utilizing the LMA framework

The study conducted in Udupi district, Karnataka, India, comprised four phases. Phase 1 involved a literature review to identify culturally relevant fundamental movement skills (FMS) for children aged 6-15, which were refined by experts into a Pre-Final FMS Classification (PF-FMS-Cr). In Phase 2, a framework integrating PF-FMS-Cr with motion capture parameters was developed and tested for feasibility on a sample of four children. Phase 3 established a Laban Movement Analysis (LMA) framework, where the FMS lexicon was validated by experts. Phase 4 evaluated the lexicon's intra-coder reliability through random sampling in a cross-sectional design with 40 children (20 clinical, 20 control) from private schools, evenly distributed across 10 age groups (6-15) and by gender. The children's videos were processed using Kinovea software and analyzed using the LMA framework, assessing stability and locomotion on the first day and object control on the second.

Fifteen essential FMS for the Indian context were selected through a thorough process involving literature review and expert input. A 15-meter by 15-meter non-reflective area was set up for assessing stability, object control, and locomotor skills. Markers included a 30 cm square for stability, parallel lines for catching (5 meters), throwing and punting (10 meters), and additional squares for dribbling and kicking. Locomotor skills, except leaping, used a 10-meter line, with a leap box placed 5 meters from the start. Two Logitech HD C920 webcams recorded at 30 fps, positioned diagonally to capture movements, with video synchronization managed using phone light flashes. Kinovea software was used for manual video synchronization and segmentation, though sub-frame syncing was not done due to time constraints. Movement concepts like body, space, effort, and shape were refined using video analysis and expert feedback, leading to the creation of a lexicon for movement analysis. The lexicon was confirmed as clear and reliable by experts, with dependability established through strong agreement in analysing stability (77.42-100%), object control (64.92-100%), and locomotor skills (70.90-100%).

The study established a precise, expressive, and reliable lexicon and syntax for movement analysis using the LMA framework to assess FMS in children aged 6-15 years.

The developed lexicon offers a practical advantage over quantitative assessments by enabling detailed qualitative analysis of FMS. While numerical data often miss essential movement nuances for day-to-day functioning, the lexicon provides deeper insights into movement patterns, helping to identify subtle deficiencies and inform targeted interventions for better real-world functional outcomes.