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Relationship between motor competence and physical activity among children aged 3-6 years at risk for developmental
YanJie Chen1, Yu Song2, Xi Fei2
1School of Sport Science, Beijing Sport University, Beijing, China; Department of Children's Health Care Center, Beijing Children's Hospital, Capital Medical University, National Center for Children's Health, Beijing, China.
Insights
Young children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) show lower motor skills but not reduced physical activity. Developing motor competence is key to sustaining physical activity participation in these children.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric motor development
- Childhood physical activity
- Developmental coordination disorder research
Background:
- Uncertainty exists regarding physical activity participation in young children at risk for DCD.
- The relationship between motor competence (MC) and physical activity (PA) in this population is not well understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess MC and PA levels in young children at risk for DCD (rDCD).
- To investigate the association between MC and PA in children with rDCD.
Main Methods:
- Compared 124 children with rDCD and 124 typically developing (TD) children (ages 3-6).
- Assessed MC using standardized tests (e.g., Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2).
- Measured PA via parent-reported questionnaires, including total PA, MVPA, and SB.
Main Results:
- Children with rDCD exhibited significantly lower scores in all assessed MC domains compared to TD children.
- No significant differences were found in total PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), or sedentary behavior (SB) between the groups.
- Specific MC skills (balance, aiming/catching, locomotor) were weakly correlated with and predicted MVPA in children with rDCD.
Conclusions:
- Young children at risk for DCD do not display deficits in physical activity participation.
- Enhancing motor competence in children at risk for DCD is crucial for maintaining their engagement in physical activities and preventing early dropout.
Background:
To date, it remains unclear whether young children at risk for developmental coordination disorder (DCD) develop deficits in physical activity participation, and the relationship between motor competence (MC) and physical activity (PA) in these children.
Aim:
To evaluate the levels of MC and PA in young children at risk for DCD (rDCD) and to explore the relationship between these two aspects.
Methods And Procedures:
A total of 124 children with rDCD and 124 typically developing (TD) children aged 3-6 years were selected. Each group included 85 boys and 39 girls. MC was evaluated using the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 and the Test of Gross Motor Development-third edition. PA was assessed using the Questionnaire of Parents of Physical Activities of Young Children. MC variables were manual dexterity, aiming and catching, balance, and locomotor skills. PA variables were total PA (TPA), moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and sedentary behavior (SB).
Outcomes And Results:
Children with rDCD had significantly lower scores in manual dexterity, aiming and catching, balance, and locomotor skills compared with TD children (P < 0.05). There was no difference in TPA, MVPA and SB between children with rDCD and TD overall (P > 0.05). Balance, aiming and catching, and locomotor skills in children with rDCD were weakly positively correlated with MVPA (r = 0.197-0.347, P < 0.05). Balance, aiming and catching, and locomotor skills in children with rDCD significantly predicted MVPA (β= 0.219-0.342, P < 0.05).
Conclusions:
Young children at risk for DCD do not yet show deficits in physical activity participation. It is still important to develop motor competence in young children at risk for DCD, as this may help them sustain participation in physical activity and avoid early withdrawal.
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