Investigating the mediating role of internalizing and externalizing problems on physical fitness in children at risk

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Maeghan E James1, Jeffrey D Graham2,3, Daniele Chirico2,4

  • 1Faculty of Kinesiology and Physical Education, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

Applied Physiology, Nutrition, and Metabolism = Physiologie Appliquee, Nutrition Et Metabolisme
|February 15, 2022
PubMed

Insights

Children at risk for Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) show lower physical fitness and more behavioral issues. Internalizing problems mediate this link, suggesting targeted interventions can improve fitness outcomes.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Psychology
  • Developmental Pediatrics
  • Sports Medicine

Background:

  • Children with Developmental Coordination Disorder (DCD) exhibit challenges in motor skills and often present with behavioral difficulties.
  • Existing research indicates a correlation between DCD and poorer physical fitness, alongside increased internalizing and externalizing problems.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the mediating role of internalizing and externalizing problems in the relationship between risk for DCD (DCDr) and physical fitness.
  • To understand how behavioral issues influence the physical fitness of children at risk for DCD.

Main Methods:

  • A cohort of 288 children at risk for DCD (DCDr) and 301 typically developing (TD) children (ages 4-5) participated.
  • Motor skills assessed via Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2nd edition; behavioral problems via Child Behaviour Checklist; physical fitness via Bruce treadmill and Wingate tests.
  • Mediation analyses were conducted using PROCESS v3.5 software.

Main Results:

  • Children with DCDr demonstrated significantly higher internalizing and externalizing problems and poorer physical fitness compared to TD peers.
  • Internalizing problems significantly mediated the relationship between DCDr and performance on both treadmill and Wingate fitness tests.
  • Externalizing problems did not show a significant mediating effect on the DCDr-physical fitness relationship.

Conclusions:

  • Internalizing problems play a crucial role in the reduced physical fitness observed in children at risk for DCD.
  • Interventions focused on addressing internalizing problems may enhance fitness performance in children with DCDr.
  • This study highlights the interconnectedness of behavioral and physical health in children with DCDr.

Keywords:
autorégulationcondition physiquecoordination motriceexecutive functioningfonctionnement exécutifmotor coordinationphysical fitnessself-regulation

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