Pre-schoolers fundamental movement skills predict BMI, physical activity, and sedentary behavior: A longitudinal...

This study aimed to predict the variation in future fundamental movement skills (FMS), physical activity (PA) and body mass index (BMI) from prior FMS, PA, and BMI in British pre-schoolers.

British pre-schoolers (n = 177) underwent assessment of FMS, via the Test of Gross Motor Development 2 (TGMD-2), BMI, and PA, via accelerometer at two time points one year apart. Regression analysis was used to predict the change in PA and BMI in Year 2 from FMS variables in Year 1 and Year 2.

Variation in FMS performance between individuals predicted a significant amount of change in BMI, with 12.3 and 9.8% of the change in Year 2 BMI data explained by change in Year 1 and Year 2 FMS data, respectively. Change in FMS performance between individuals predicted a significant amount of change in PA, but was better at predicting change in sedentary activity rather than light or moderate-vigorous activities. A combination of run, throw, dribble, and kick performance predicted 46.1% of the change in sedentary activity between individuals in the 2nd year of testing.

FMS mastery at four years of age predicts children's BMI and time spent sedentary at five years of age.