Are boys and girls in rural areas equal in terms of gross motor skills?

Proficiency in gross motor skills serves as the foundational groundwork for children as they navigate through life. Fundamental competence in gross motor skills is particularly essential for elementary school students, enabling them to engage in play, sports, and societal activities, while also reaping health benefits through a consistently active lifestyle. Inadequate competency in gross motor skills may potentially limit the prospects of leading an active life. This research seeks to explore potential disparities in gross motor skills between male and female students in rural areas. The study sample encompasses 96 elementary school students spanning grades 4 to 6, with an even distribution of 48 boys and 48 girls. The measurement of gross motor skills is conducted using Ulrich's TGMD-2, and the data is subjected to descriptive statistical analysis. The results of the gender difference test reveal a significance level of 0.259 (p > 0.05), indicating similar basic movement skills. Both boys and girls fall within the average ability category on a scale of 91-110, with mean scores of 98.43 for boys and 94.87 for girls. In grade 4, both genders start at the same level, experience an increase in grade 5, and a decrease in grade 6. However, these fluctuations are statistically insignificant, as affirmed by the t-test results, indicating comparable motor skills in both groups. The outcomes of this study aim to provide valuable insights into the nuances of motor skill development in rural settings, offering input for strategies to foster equitable physical development among boys and girls in such environments. Keywords: Gross motor, boys and girls, rural students, primary school