What Is Non-Locomotor Movement?

Fundamental body movement refers to basic body skills that serve as a foundation for more complex
physical activity movement. There are three main categories of fundamental body movement, which
include locomotor skills, non-locomotor skills, and manipulative skills. Locomotor skills are movements
of the body that occur from one place to another, such as walking, skipping, or running. Non-locomotor
skills are movements of the body that do not involve moving from one place to another. Non-locomotor
movement involves the use of the limbs, or the entire body, and requires stability. Manipulative skills are
movements that involve the body, as well as an object, such as throwing a frisbee, or kicking a soccer
ball.
Fundamental body movements are generally taught to children during preschool and elementary years
through physical education; however, children begin to learn fundamental skills during infancy through
the achievement of developmental milestones, such as crawling, or walking. These fundamental skills
help children to develop a basic understanding of movements. An understanding of simple movements
can lead to the development of more complex movements, which may be utilized in sports or other
extracurricular activities. In addition, the development of fundamental skills can increase a child's self-
efficacy. For example, children that are confident in their ability to perform certain fundamental body
movements are more likely to try out for a sport or participate in dance or gymnastics.
Importance of Non-Locomotor Movements
This lesson will focus on non-locomotor movements and the importance of acquiring these skills. Non-
locomotor movements do not develop automatically. Both children and adults need guidance on how to
properly perform certain non-locomotor skills. It is important for children to develop non-locomotor skills
to use in everyday life, as well as in extracurricular activities. It is just as important for adults to develop
non-locomotor skills to remain physically active and independent as they age. Non-locomotor movements
that are beneficial for both children and adults include stretching, pushing and pulling movements, and
movements that require balance and stability.
Non-locomotor skills are important for many reasons, such as promoting body and spatial awareness.
Spatial awareness is recognition of where the body is in regard to other objects or people. Non-locomotor
skills require movement in one place; therefore, a person must be aware of their body and the space that
they are in as they perform certain movements. For example, swinging the arms from side-to-side is a
non-locomotor movement that requires attention to physical space.
In addition to spatial awareness, non-locomotor movement assists in the development of balance.
Movements that require staying in one place, such as standing on one foot, require core strength and
balance. Also, non-locomotor movement, such as bending or stretching, increases flexibility, which is
important for mobility and posture. Stretching is another non-locomotor skill that is beneficial because it
teaches the importance of warming-up before engaging in any physical activity or sport. Stretching also
helps with flexibility and the prevention of injury.
According to studies, children that develop non-locomotor skills early in childhood are more likely to
remain physically active later in life. If children do not develop non-locomotor skills during preschool or
elementary years they may have difficulty later in life with motor development. Failure to develop basic
skills may prevent a child or adolescent from performing more complex skills, which may decrease
participation in physical activity or extracurricular activities.
Non-Locomotor Movement Examples
Non-locomotor skills are often referred to as axial skills because movement occurs around the axis of the
body. The axis is the center, or the torso, of the body. There are many examples of non-locomotor
movements, which include:
 Bending
 Stretching
 Extending
 Turning
 Raising
 Twisting
 Rotating
 Swinging
 Lifting
 Shaking
 Wiggling
 Pulling
 Dodging
 Pushing
 Swaying
 Flexing

LOCOMOTOR MOVEMENT
A movement through space involving a change in location. A moving base involving a progressive
relocation of the body in space. Locomotor movement “usually involves moving around the wider,
available area, with the body not anchored and with complete transfer of weight.” In other words, moving
from point A to point B. Basic locomotor movements include walking, jumping, running, hopping,
leaping, sliding, galloping, crawling, and skipping.