Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 17, 2026
Physical Activity Measurement in Children Accepting Table Tennis Training
Published on: July 27, 2022
Motor Skill Competence and Physical Activity in Preschoolers: A Review
1Department of Human Development and Family Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 905 S. Goodwin Ave., 230 Bevier Hall, Urbana, IL, 61801, USA. rfiguer2@illinois.edu.
Insights
Motor skill competence is linked to physical activity in preschoolers aged 3-5. Most studies show a positive association, though patterns vary by gender and activity type.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Kinesiology
- Public Health
Background:
- Preschoolers (3-5 years) are developing critical motor skills.
- Many preschoolers do not meet recommended physical activity guidelines.
- Understanding the link between motor skills and activity is vital for early intervention.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review evidence on the relationship between motor skill competence and physical activity in preschoolers.
- To identify patterns and moderators of this association.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review following PRISMA guidelines.
- Searched multiple databases (PubMed, Cochrane, PsycINFO, Web of Science, Google Scholar).
- Included peer-reviewed studies on 3-5 year olds in preschool settings, focusing on motor skills and physical activity.
Main Results:
- Eleven studies (6 RCTs, 5 cross-sectional) met inclusion criteria.
- Eight studies reported a significant relationship between motor skill competence and physical activity.
- The association varied by gender, activity intensity, motor skill type, and day of the week.
Conclusions:
- A consistent association exists between motor skill competence and physical activity in preschoolers.
- Further research is needed to clarify causality, heterogeneity, and environmental influences.
Abstract:
Objectives Preschoolers 3-5 years of age are in a crucial stage of motor skill competence. While preschoolers develop their motor skill competence through engagement in physical activity, a majority of them fail to meet guideline-recommended physical activity level. This study reviews scientific evidence on the relationship between motor skill competence and physical activity among preschoolers. Methods This systematic review followed the PRISMA framework. Keyword and reference search were conducted in PubMed, Cochrane Library, PsycINFO, Web of Science, and Google Scholar. Inclusion criteria included-age: 3-5 years of age; setting: preschool environment (e.g., preschool, childcare, head start); main outcomes: motor skill competence and physical activity; study design: cross-sectional study, case-control study, retrospective cohort study, prospective cohort study, or randomized controlled trial; language: English; and article type: peer-reviewed publication. Results Eleven studies met the inclusion criteria, including 6 randomized controlled trials and 5 cross-sectional studies. Studies were conducted in 5 countries: United States (5), United Kingdom (2), Australia (2), Switzerland (1), and Finland (1). Eight out of the 11 studies included in the review reported a significant relationship between motor skill competence and physical activity. The specific pattern and strength of the relationship tend to differ by gender, physical activity intensity, motor skill type, and day of the week (weekdays versus weekends). Conclusions An association has been consistently documented between motor skill competence and physical activity. Future research is warranted to elucidate the underlining causal link, examine potential heterogeneity, and determine the role of environment in the relationship between motor skill competence and physical activity among preschoolers.
