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Longitudinal Associations Between Device-Measured Physical Activity and Early Childhood Neurodevelopment
Insights
Higher physical activity in early childhood is linked to better neurodevelopment. Consistent physical activity throughout early years shows a dose-response relationship with improved cognitive outcomes in children.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Public Health
- Neuroscience
Background:
- Longitudinal associations between physical activity and neurodevelopment in early childhood are not fully understood.
- Early childhood is a critical period for both physical activity engagement and neurodevelopmental trajectories.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the longitudinal associations between physical activity patterns and neurodevelopmental outcomes in children.
- To determine if different physical activity trajectories impact neurodevelopment.
- To examine the dose-response relationship between cumulative physical activity and neurodevelopment.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of data from 1673 children in the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study.
- Objective measurement of physical activity using wrist accelerometers at ages 1, 2, and 4 years.
- Assessment of neurodevelopment using the Battelle Development Inventory at age 4 years, analyzed with linear regression models.
Main Results:
- Three distinct physical activity trajectories were identified.
- Children in medium and high physical activity trajectories exhibited significantly higher neurodevelopment scores compared to those in the low activity trajectory.
- A dose-response relationship was observed, with higher cumulative physical activity correlating with enhanced neurodevelopmental scores.
Conclusions:
- Physical activity is a significant predictor of neurodevelopment during early childhood.
- Promoting physical activity may be a key strategy for optimizing child neurodevelopment.
- Findings support the importance of sustained physical activity for cognitive development in young children.
Background:
The aim of this study was to investigate longitudinal associations between physical activity and early childhood neurodevelopment.
Methods:
Data from 1673 children from the 2015 Pelotas (Brazil) birth cohort study were analyzed. Physical activity was measured using accelerometers on the wrist at ages 1, 2, and 4 years. Neurodevelopment was measured using the Battelle Development Inventory at age 4 years. Linear regression models were used to test trajectories and cumulative associations of physical activity with child neurodevelopment.
Results:
Of the 3 physical activity trajectories observed, children in the medium (β = 1.17; 95% confidence interval, 0.25 to 2.10) and high (β = 2.22; 95% confidence interval, 0.61 to 3.82) trajectories showed higher neurodevelopment scores than children in the lower activity trajectory. Cumulative analyses showed that children in the highest tertile of physical activity in all follow-ups presented a mean neurodevelopment score 4.57 (95% confidence interval, 2.63 to 6.51) higher than children in the lowest tertile in all follow-ups. All analyses showed a dose-response characteristic of association, with higher physical activity indicating higher neurodevelopment scores.
Conclusions:
Physical activity may be an important predictor of neurodevelopment through early childhood.
