The Role of Motor Competences in Predicting Working Memory Maintenance and Preparatory Processing

Area of Science:

• Neuroscience
• Developmental Psychology
• Motor Control

Background:

• Working memory is crucial for cognitive tasks.
• Motor competence development is linked to cognitive development.
• Understanding the interplay between motor skills and cognitive processing is important for child development.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the longitudinal association between motor competences and changes in preparatory processing during a working memory task.
• To investigate how motor skills influence neurophysiological indices of cognitive control.
• To determine if baseline motor abilities predict changes in brain activity and performance on a working memory task.

Main Methods:

• 52 children (10-12 years) completed motor tests (MOBAK-5) and a Sternberg task at baseline.
• Electroencephalography (EEG) recorded cue-P300 and initial contingent negative variation (iCNV) during the task.
• The Sternberg task and neurophysiological measures were reassessed after 9 months.

Main Results:

• Path analyses indicated that baseline motor competences significantly predicted changes in cue-P300 and iCNV over the 9-month period.
• Motor skills were associated with alterations in the brain's preparatory processing for working memory tasks.
• Individual differences in motor abilities influenced the trajectory of cognitive control strategy development.

Conclusions:

• Children's motor competences play a role in the development of cognitive control strategies for working memory.
• Motor skill development may influence the maturation of neural mechanisms supporting executive functions.
• These findings highlight the interconnectedness of motor and cognitive development in children.