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Fundamental movement skills and physical activity among children with and without cerebral palsy
Catherine M Capio1, Cindy H P Sit, Bruce Abernethy
1Institute of Human Performance, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong SAR, China. ccapio08@hku.hk
Insights
Children with cerebral palsy (CP) who have better fundamental movement skills (FMS) engage in more moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and less sedentary behavior. Improving FMS in children with CP may enhance their physical activity levels.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Rehabilitation
- Movement Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Children with cerebral palsy (CP) exhibit lower physical activity (PA) levels compared to typically developing peers.
- Fundamental movement skills (FMS) proficiency is linked to PA in children.
- CP is the most common diagnostic group in pediatric rehabilitation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between FMS proficiency and PA in children with CP.
- To compare FMS and PA between children with CP and typically developing children.
Main Methods:
- Assessed five FMS (run, jump, kick, throw, catch) using process- and product-oriented measures.
- Monitored PA over seven days using accelerometers.
- Included children with CP and typically developing children.
Main Results:
- Children with CP spent less time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and more time in sedentary behavior.
- FMS proficiency was negatively associated with sedentary time and positively associated with MVPA in both groups.
- Process-oriented FMS measures showed a stronger influence on PA in children with CP.
Conclusions:
- FMS proficiency is associated with increased PA and reduced sedentary behavior in children with CP.
- Interventions targeting FMS development in children with CP may promote PA and associated health benefits.
- Rehabilitation and physical education programs should focus on enhancing FMS for children with CP.
Abstract:
Fundamental movement skills (FMS) proficiency is believed to influence children's physical activity (PA), with those more proficient tending to be more active. Children with cerebral palsy (CP), who represent the largest diagnostic group treated in pediatric rehabilitation, have been found to be less active than typically developing children. This study examined the association of FMS proficiency with PA in a group of children with CP, and compared the data with a group of typically developing children. Five FMS (run, jump, kick, throw, catch) were tested using process- and product-oriented measures, and accelerometers were used to monitor PA over a 7-day period. The results showed that children with CP spent less time in moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA), but more time in sedentary behavior than typically developing children. FMS proficiency was negatively associated with sedentary time and positively associated with time spent in MVPA in both groups of children. Process-oriented FMS measures (movement patterns) were found to have a stronger influence on PA in children with CP than in typically developing children. The findings provide evidence that FMS proficiency facilitates activity accrual among children with CP, suggesting that rehabilitation and physical education programs that support FMS development may contribute to PA-related health benefits.
