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Multistakeholder Perspectives on the Determinants of Family Fundamental Movement Skills Practice: A Qualitative
Robert J Flynn1, Andy Pringle1, Clare M P Roscoe1
1Clinical Exercise and Rehabilitation Research Centre, School of Sport and Exercise Sciences, University of Derby, Kedleston Road, Derby DE22 1GB, UK.
Insights
Parents can foster children's fundamental movement skills (FMS) to combat childhood obesity. Parental knowledge, self-efficacy, and home environment significantly impact FMS practice, highlighting the need for better support and community initiatives.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Public Health
- Motor Development
Background:
- Childhood obesity presents a major public health challenge, increasing risks of illness and early death.
- Parents play a crucial role in promoting physical activity and health outcomes by nurturing children's fundamental movement skills (FMS).
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically synthesize qualitative evidence exploring the factors influencing family practice of fundamental movement skills (FMS) in young children.
Main Methods:
- A systematic literature search was conducted across major databases (SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Embase).
- Qualitative studies, including those using visual methodologies, focusing on influences on FMS in 2-6-year-olds within the family context were included.
- Thematic analysis was employed to identify key themes.
Main Results:
- Key themes identified were parent knowledge and beliefs, parental self-efficacy in teaching FMS, and the home environment.
- Parents often underestimated FMS and lacked confidence to teach due to insufficient understanding, competing priorities, and societal pressures.
- Children favored free play and social interaction, but excessive technology use and strict home rules hindered their engagement.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced knowledge sharing among stakeholders is vital to empower parents and improve FMS engagement at home.
- Community programs promoting access to outdoor spaces, facilities, and equipment can boost family participation in FMS activities.
Background:
Childhood obesity is a significant public health crisis that is exposing children to associated morbidities and premature mortality. However, parents can positively influence physical activity trajectories and improve health outcomes by nurturing fundamental movement skills (FMS) in children. This is the first study to explore the determinants of family FMS practice via a systematic synthesis of qualitative evidence.
Methods:
Keyword searches were completed in SPORTDiscus, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Embase. Studies that offered perspectives relating to influences on the FMS of 2-6-year-old children in the family context via qualitative approaches, including visual methodologies that provided an important voice to children, were included. A thematic analysis was used to establish key themes.
Results:
The emergent themes included parent knowledge and beliefs, self-efficacy of parents to teach, and the home environment. Parents often undervalued FMS and lacked the self-efficacy to teach due to poor understanding, conflicting priorities, and multifaceted societal influences. Children preferred autonomous play and socialisation but were negatively influenced by technology and restrictive household rules.
Conclusions:
Greater knowledge exchange between stakeholders is necessary to empower parents and enhance FMS application at home. More community initiatives could facilitate greater access to outdoor spaces, facilities, and equipment, which may improve family engagement with FMS.
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