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Locomotion improves children's spatial search: a meta-analytic review
J H Yan1, J R Thomas, J H Downing
1Department of Exercise, Sport, and Health Studies, University of Texas at Arlington 76019-0259, USA. yan@exchange.uta.edu
Insights
Locomotor experience significantly enhances children's spatial search skills. Older children benefit more from movement activities, highlighting the importance of physical development for cognitive abilities.
Area of Science:
- Developmental Psychology
- Cognitive Science
- Motor Development
Background:
- Children's spatial search performance is influenced by various factors.
- Understanding the role of locomotor experience is crucial for cognitive development.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantitatively synthesize the impact of locomotor experience on children's search performance.
- To examine the benefits of locomotor practice, assistance, and search patterns.
Main Methods:
- A meta-analysis of 19 studies involving 1,029 children (4-144 months).
- Analyzed spatial performance outcome measures, converting them to 83 effect sizes.
- Utilized analyses of variance to identify moderator variables.
Main Results:
- Locomotor activities are increasingly important for spatial searching as children age.
- Locomotor training significantly improved spatial search abilities.
- Moderator variables include locomotor status, search patterns, and assistance.
Conclusions:
- Children's development of spatial search skills is significantly influenced by locomotor experience.
- Physical activity and movement play a vital role in cognitive development, particularly spatial abilities.
Abstract:
This meta-analysis quantitatively summarized the developmental influence and the effects of locomotor experience as well as the benefits of locomotor practice, locomotor assistance, and active searching patterns on children's search performance. Based on specific criteria, a search of a database and reference lists identified 19 studies, including 1,029 children (510 boys and 519 girls) from 4 to 144 months of age. Outcome measures of spatial performance were converted to 83 effect sizes that reflected the effects of specific experimental characteristics. Analyses of variance indicated that with older children, locomotor activities are more important to their spatial searching. Locomotor status, searching patterns, locomotor assistance, test conditions, and test reliability were identified as moderator variables. In addition, locomotor training significantly improved children's spatial search. The results supported the hypothesis that children's development of spatial search skills is influenced by locomotor experience.