University of Bayreuth, Press Release No. 076/2025 - 12 September 2025
Bayreuth researchers evaluate cognitive and physical abilities of primary school pupils
For the fifth time, the Chair of Neuromotorics and Movement at the University of Bayreuth is conducting the Bayreuth Movement Check. This year, there is a new addition: alongside physical literacy, the children's cognitive abilities will also be assessed.
For the fifth time, the Chair of Neuromotorics and Movement at the University of Bayreuth is conducting the Bayreuth Movement Check. This year, there's a new development: in addition to motor skills, the cognitive abilities of children will also be assessed. Around 600 children from primary schools in and around Bayreuth took part in the test series before the summer holidays, led by Prof. Dr. Dr. Jan Wilke, Chair of Neuromotorics and Movement, and Dr. Maximilian Siener, research associate at the chair. Another 250 children from the region will be tested after the holidays.
The goal is to support primary school children in their motor and now also cognitive development in a playful yet scientifically grounded way – while also identifying potential athletic talents at an early stage. "A narrow focus on motor skills is no longer up to date. Physical abilities are important, but they are closely linked to brain function," says Prof. Wilke. "To this extent, cognitive abilities in children have rarely been studied so far."
The Movement Check is being held for the fifth time this year. In total, more than 4,500 children from over 20 different schools have participated so far. "Children from the region perform well in our motor tests compared to the national average," explains Dr. Maximilian Siener. "There are several reasons for this: we believe it's due to both regional factors and the commitment of primary schools as well as the availability of sports promotion programs." A short-term analysis has not yet revealed any upward or downward trends in performance. This is because motor skills, height, and weight naturally vary between age groups. More data is needed for a detailed analysis. From a scientific perspective, the team at the University of Bayreuth expects valuable insights: in the long term, they aim to identify correlations between specific test results and potential injury risks during childhood and adolescence.
The project is supported by the City of Bayreuth, the Sports Office, the Sports Advisory Board, and the VR Bank Bayreuth-Hof.
How the Movement Check Works
This year, the Bayreuth Movement Check has been expanded: in addition to well-established classics like sprints, balance courses, and strength measurements, neurocognitive and motor-cognitive tests were included for the first time. In eleven different tasks – some conducted in the gym, others in the classroom – children are asked to respond rapidly to colorful blinking light sensors, solve a number maze, or complete concentration exercises on a tablet. After completing the tests, each child receives an individual evaluation of their athletic and cognitive performance from project coordinator Lukas Baldauf, a research associate at the Chair of Neuromotorics and Movement. In addition, personalized recommendations for suitable sports are provided based on the child’s results. "Our goal is to encourage children to try out new sports – with the hope that they develop a long-term enjoyment of physical activity and perhaps even join a sports club," explains Lukas Baldauf.
Prof. Dr. Dr. Jan WilkeChair of Neuromotorics and Movement
University of Bayreuth
Phone: +49 (0)921 / 55-3460
E-mail: jan.wilke@uni-bayreuth.de
Jennifer OpelDeputy Press & PR Manager
Phone: +49 (0)921 / 55-5893
E-mail: jennifer.opel@uni-bayreuth.de