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Relationship between fundamental motor skills and physical fitness in children with global developmental delay
Insights
Children with global developmental delay (GDD) show underdeveloped fundamental motor skills (FMS) and physical fitness (PF). Improving FMS, particularly manual dexterity and body balance, is crucial for enhancing PF in this population.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Developmental Psychology
- Sports Science
Background:
- Fundamental motor skills (FMS) are crucial for physical fitness (PF).
- Children with global developmental delay (GDD) often exhibit delays in motor skill acquisition.
- The relationship between FMS and PF in children with GDD requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the correlation between FMS and PF in children with GDD.
- To identify specific FMS that predict PF in children with GDD.
Main Methods:
- 180 children with GDD and 180 typically developing (TD) children (aged 3-5 years) participated.
- Gesell Developmental Schedule, FMS, and PF tests were administered.
- Partial correlation and regression analyses were used to assess relationships.
Main Results:
- Children with GDD had significantly lower FMS and PF scores than TD children.
- Manual dexterity and body balance significantly predicted total PF scores in children with GDD.
- More severe developmental delay correlated with lower FMS and PF scores.
Conclusions:
- Both FMS and PF are underdeveloped in children with GDD.
- Interventions targeting FMS development are vital for improving PF in children with GDD.
Importance:
Understanding the significance of motor skills in promoting physical fitness (PF) can offer valuable insights for devising comprehensive intervention and clinical rehabilitation programs for children with global developmental delay (GDD). However, it remains unclear whether fundamental motor skills (FMS) can improve the PF of children with GDD.
Objective:
To investigate the correlation between FMS and PF in children with GDD.
Methods:
A total of 180 children with GDD and 180 typically developing (TD) children aged 3-5 years were selected. All participants completed the Gesell Developmental Schedule, FMS, and PF tests at Beijing Children's Hospital between September 2022 and August 2023. Partial correlation and regression analyses were performed to examine the relationship between FMS and PF.
Results:
Children with GDD had significantly lower FMS and PF scores compared to TD children (P < 0.05). No significant differences were found between males and females with GDD in FMS and PF score (P > 0.05). A more severe developmental delay was associated with lower FMS and PF scores. The correlation coefficients between individual FMS items and individual PF items, as well as the total PF score, ranged from 0.20 to 0.56. Regression analysis indicated that manual dexterity (β = 0.241, P = 0.029) and body balance (β = 0.399, P = 0.001) significantly predicted the total PF score.
Interpretation:
In children with GDD, both FMS and PF are underdeveloped. Focusing on motor skills development is vital for promoting their PF.
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