The Relationship between Physical Activity and Motor Competence of Foundation Phase Children in Wales during the School Day

Datos Bibliográficos

ID15713166
AutoresAmanda John (0000-0003-3596-577X, University of Wales Trinity Saint David), Nalda Wainwright (0000-0002-8277-9649, University of Wales Trinity Saint David), Jacqueline D Goodway (0000-0002-2199-2577, The Ohio State University, autor de correspondencia), Andy Williams (0000-0002-2329-0659, University of Wales Trinity Saint David)
Año2024
Volumen11
Número6
Páginas629-629
Fecha de publicación2024-05-24
Peer ReviewedSí
Open AccessSí
TipoARTICLE
RevistaChildren (JOURNAL)
Identificadores de la revistaISSN: 2227-9067 • E-ISSN: 2227-9067
EditorialMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/children11060629
PMID38929209
OpenAlexW4398781872
IdiomaEN
Citas recibidas3
Referencias citadas18

Early childhood is a crucial time for children to develop their fundamental motor skills (FMS), serving as a foundation for engagement in lifelong physical activity (PA). With increasing concerns over the declining levels of PA and motor competence (MC), the aim of this study was to explore the predictors of PA in children in a play-based curriculum. A secondary purpose was to explore levels of PA and MC during the school day. The final aim was to explore whether there were sex differences. Children ( N = 94; M age = 68.96 months, SD = 8.25) in five classes from four different schools in Wales were tested on the TGMD-2, standing long jump, and MABC-2. Levels of PA were measured using ActiGraph GT3X-BT accelerometers, and 85 children met the wear time criteria. Object control (OC) skills, standing long jump, and age significantly predicted the percentage of time spent performing sedentary behaviours F (10,73) = 3.026, p = 0.003, R2 = 0.29 (adj R2 = 0.20) and time spent on MVPA F (10,73) = 3.597, p p = 0.014), and boys spent more time than girls on MVPA ( p = 0.004). Boys outperformed girls at OC skills ( p p < 0.001). These findings reinforce the pivotal role teachers and parents play in providing opportunities for children to be PA. OC skills and jump were positively associated with PA, emphasising the importance of developing FMS in early childhood. There were also sex disparities for both PA and MC, along with low levels of MC, highlighting the need for investing in comprehensive programmes and initiatives that prioritise the development of FMS during early childhood

Competence (human resources · Curriculum · Developmental psychology · Motor skill · Pedagogy · Percentile · Physical activity · Physical therapy · Sedentary behavior · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Demography · Infant Development and Preterm Care · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology