Measuring gross motor skills in African children using the PERF-FIT

Abstract Background Africa is facing a rising prevalence of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), driven by shifts in lifestyle and dietary habits. Children with delays in motor coordination are less likely to participate in physical activity, active play, and sports, placing them at increased risk for obesity, reduced physical fitness, and cardiovascular diseases. Existing motor performance tests for school-aged children were not designed for African populations and lack culturally valid normative data. Methods As part of an African-led initiative, the PERFormance and FITness test battery (PERF-FIT) was developed to assess motor performance and motor skill-related physical fitness in children aged 6–12 years. The PERF-FIT test battery is open-source, contextually relevant, and tailored for low-resource settings. This study involved the collection of motor performance data from a large sample of African children to establish age- and sex-specific normative values. Results This study generates normative data for motor skills in African children aged 6–12 years (n = 2604), stratified by age and sex. These norms complement the previously validated psychometric properties of the PERF-FIT, confirming its reliability and applicability across diverse African contexts. Conclusions The PERF-FIT test battery provides a culturally appropriate and psychometrically sound tool for assessing motor performance in African children. It serves as a valuable resource for clinicians, educators, and policymakers to monitor motor skill related physical fitness and detect motor delays in children aged 6–12 years in African countries.