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The Relationship with Meeting Physical Activity Guidelines in Preschool-Aged Children: A Systematic Review
Markel Rico-González1, Ursula Småland Goth2, Ricardo Martín-Moya3
1Department of Didactics of Musical, Plastic and Corporal Expression, University of the Basque Country, UPV-EHU, 48940 Leioa, Spain.
Insights
Preschool physical activity (PA) is crucial for development. Meeting PA guidelines is linked to better cognitive, emotional, and motor skills in young children, though adherence varies.
Area of Science:
- Child Development
- Public Health
- Kinesiology
Background:
- Physical activity (PA) is essential for preschooler development, impacting physiological, cognitive, and socio-emotional growth.
- Disparities in meeting recommended PA guidelines are prevalent among preschoolers.
- Technological devices are increasingly used to measure PA in early childhood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review studies comparing preschoolers' objectively measured PA with established guidelines.
- To identify factors associated with meeting PA guidelines in this age group.
- To examine the developmental outcomes linked to adherence to PA guidelines.
Main Methods:
- Systematic review utilizing the PICOS framework and searching four databases.
- Inclusion of studies involving children aged 0-6 years with PA measured by technological devices.
- Analysis of correlations between measured PA, adherence to guidelines, and reported outcomes.
Main Results:
- Most studies indicated favorable outcomes for preschoolers meeting PA guidelines across cognitive, motor, and socio-emotional domains.
- Meeting PA guidelines was associated with improved motor competence, emotional regulation, and cognitive skills (e.g., working memory, social understanding).
- The association between meeting PA guidelines and body composition/BMI was inconsistent, highlighting broader developmental benefits.
Conclusions:
- Adherence to PA guidelines in early childhood is strongly linked to enhanced cognitive development, emotional regulation, motor skills, and social behaviors.
- Significant variations in PA adherence exist, influenced by a complex interplay of individual, familial, socioeconomic, and environmental factors.
- Objective measurement of PA is crucial for understanding adherence and its developmental impact in preschoolers.
Abstract:
Background/Objectives: Physical activity (PA) during preschool is vital for supporting physiological development, enhancing cognitive abilities and fostering socio-emotional growth. However, consistent disparities in meeting PA guidelines have been observed. This systematic review aims to identify studies that compared preschoolers' PA, as measured by technological devices, with recommended PA guidelines. Specifically, it examines (i) factors associated with meeting PA guidelines and (ii) the outcomes observed when children meet these guidelines. Methods: The search strategy was designed based on the PICOS framework. Then, a systematic review was conducted using four databases to identify studies that included children from 0 to 6 years old participating in PA sessions recorded through technological devices. PA is compared with guidelines, and correlations were reported. Results: Of the 52 studies reviewed, most found that meeting PA guidelines in preschool-aged children was linked to favourable outcomes across multiple domains. Children who met the guidelines tended to show better motor competence, emotional regulation and cognitive skills, particularly in areas like working memory and social understanding. However, the relationship with body composition and body mass index was inconsistent, suggesting that the benefits of PA in early childhood extend beyond weight-related measures. Conclusions: Meeting PA guidelines in early childhood is strongly associated with cognitive development, emotional regulation, motor skills and social behaviours. However, adherence varies significantly due to a complex mix of individual, familial, socioeconomic and environmental factors.
