THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN FUNDAMENTAL MOVEMENT SKILLS AND THE PHYSICAL FITNESS OF CARDIORESPIRATORY ENDURANCE IN MATHAYOMSUKSA 4 STUDENTS

Abstract

The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between fundamental movement skills and the physical fitness of cardiorespiratory endurance of grade 10 students. The sample comprised 60 students, consisting of 34 males and 26 females by simple Random Sampling. Research instruments included a fundamental movement skills test covering ten components: balance, vertical jump, horizontal jump, run, skip, stationary dribble, kick, overhand throw, two-handed strike, and two-handed catch-pass (IOC 0.50-1.00, reliability = 0.94). Cardiorespiratory endurance was assessed using the 20-Meter Multi-stage Shuttle Run Test. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient. The findings revealed a statistically significant and very strong positive correlation between overall fundamental movement skills and cardiorespiratory endurance (r = .966**, p < .01). Among the fundamental movement skills assessed, horizontal jump exhibited the highest correlation with cardiorespiratory endurance (r = .868**), while balancing demonstrated the lowest correlation (r = .388**). These results confirm the initial hypothesis that fundamental movement skills are positively related to cardiorespiratory endurance. Furthermore,
the study highlights the importance of developing fundamental movement skills in enhancing students’ physical performance, particularly in activities that require sustained aerobic capacity. Students who demonstrated higher proficiency in these skills tended to perform better in endurance-based physical tasks. This suggests that targeted development of fundamental movement skills can contribute not only to improved physical fitness but also to long-term health benefits.