Sprint Instruction and Changes in Motor Performance Among Grade Eight Students in Palembang

Abstract

Objectives: To examine changes in sprint technique and a composite motor performance score following sprint instruction among Grade Eight students at SMP Xaverius 1 Palembang.

Materials and Methods: This single-group pretest–posttest study included 30 students (17 boys and 13 girls) from one Grade Eight class. Sprint instruction addressed the crouch start, running mechanics, and finish over several lessons between January 19 and February 13, 2026. Teacher-rated sprint technique and a composite of strength, endurance, speed, agility, and flexibility were assessed before and after instruction. Paired observations from the original thesis were reanalysed using a paired t test for the motor score and a Wilcoxon signed-rank test for the sprint technique score.

Results: Mean sprint technique scores increased from 4.97 (SD 1.19) to 10.30 (SD 0.70), with a median within-student gain of 5 points (Wilcoxon p < .001). Mean motor scores increased from 8.40 (SD 1.45) to 16.57 (SD 1.87); the mean paired difference was 8.17 points (95% CI 7.31–9.03; t[29] = 19.40, p < .001). All 30 students improved on both scores.

Conclusions: Both recorded scores improved during the sprint instruction period. Because there was no comparison group and the scoring instruments require further validation, the changes cannot be attributed solely to instruction or interpreted as measured improvements in each fitness component.