WC ’26: How soccer builds lifelong motor skills
As the FIFA World Cup drives excitement for soccer, researchers at The University of Texas at Arlington say the global spotlight highlights a critical issue: developing the motor skills children will rely on throughout life.
Motor skills develop early in childhood, and that development is central to research underway at UT Arlington.
“Youth sports help kids build both the skills and the confidence to stay active long-term,” said Priscila Tamplain, associate professor of kinesiology and director of UTA's Motor Development Lab and the Little Mavs Movement Academy. “When kids feel capable and enjoy moving, they’re much more likely to stay active as they grow up. Research consistently shows that children with higher motor competence are more likely to remain physically active over time.”
Dr. Tamplain and Crystal Alvarez, who recently earned her Ph.D. degree under Tamplain and will join UTA’s faculty this fall, shared their expertise on how children develop motor skills through sports—especially soccer.
How does soccer build motor competence?
Alvarez: We’ve been running the Little Mavs for 14 years, and soccer is always played in our classes. It’s an easy way to support participation, and it can be played by anyone regardless of skill level. It’s a sport people can continue playing well into adulthood.
Tamplain: First, soccer is a low-cost way of improving motor skills compared to some other American sports. Soccer helps kids develop the building blocks of movement: running, balance, coordination and control. Because the game is always changing, kids learn how to adjust their movements quickly, strengthening coordination and body control naturally.
Why is it important for children to participate in sports such as soccer at a young age?
Tamplain: Early sports experiences help kids build confidence in their movement skills while their brains and bodies are still developing. The more they move, the better they get— and just as importantly, they start to enjoy being active, which helps them stay active long term.
If children don't play sports when they’re young, is it harder to develop those skills later in life?
Alvarez: Kids can learn these skills later, but it’s usually harder. They may need more time and support to catch up. They may also feel less confident, making them less likely to try.
How can parents, coaches and communities support youth sports environments that promote motor development for all children?
Tamplain: Focus on fun, learning and effort—not just performance. Kids do best when they feel supported, encouraged and included. Giving them chances to practice at their own level—and celebrating their progress—helps build both skills and confidence.
Who are you rooting for in the World Cup?
Tamplain: I’m from Brazil, a country where we don’t get a choice. Soccer is just part of the culture. I’ll be a little more Brazilian over the summer before going back to normal. My husband jokes that Americans will never love soccer because there is too little scoring—but that is what makes the game really exciting.
Alvarez: I’m going for Mexico and the United States. As a Mexican American, I have always seen soccer as more than just a sport; it’s something deeply connected to my culture, family and identity. I also love that soccer is a low-scoring sport. At the elite level, every player is incredibly talented, so defensive and offensive strategies have to be timed and executed perfectly in order to score. Every opportunity feels important and every goal carries so much excitement and emotion. That tension and anticipation are part of what makes the game so exciting to watch.
About The University of Texas at Arlington (UTA)
The University of Texas at Arlington is a growing public research university in the heart of Dallas-Fort Worth. With a student body of over 42,700, UTA is the second-largest institution in the University of Texas System, offering more than 180 undergraduate and graduate degree programs. Recognized as a Carnegie R-1 university, UTA stands among the nation’s top 5% of institutions for research activity. UTA and its 300,000 alumni generate an annual economic impact of $28.8 billion for the state. The University has received the Innovation and Economic Prosperity designation from the Association of Public and Land Grant Universities and has earned recognition for its focus on student access and success, considered key drivers to economic growth and social progress for North Texas and beyond.