Environmental Correlates of Motor Competence in Children—The Skilled Kids Study

Bibliographic Data

ID15475229
AuthorsDonna Niemistö (0000-0002-9198-9437, University of Jyväskylä, corresponding author), Taija Finni (0000-0002-7697-2813, University of Jyväskylä), Eero A Haapala (0000-0001-5096-851X, University of Eastern Finland), Marja Cantell (0000-0003-4569-1856, University of Groningen), Elisa Korhonen (0000-0002-1030-4417, University of Jyväskylä), Arja Sääkslahti (0000-0003-4354-0990, University of Jyväskylä)
Year2019
Volume16
Issue11
Pages1989-1989
Publication date2019-06-04
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueInternational Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601
PublisherMultidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3390/ijerph16111989
PMID31167487
OpenAlexW2948041368
LanguageEN
Citations received26
References cited49

Environment, physical activity (PA) and motor development are tightly interwoven during childhood. We examined the associations of environmental factors with motor competence (MC) in children. Children ( N = 945, 50.1% boys, age = 3-7 years, mean = 5.4 years) from 37 childcare centres in the Southern ( n = 17), Central ( n = 13) and Northern Finland ( n = 7) participated. The environmental factors comprised the geographical location (Southern, Central and Northern Finland) and residential density (metropolitan area, city, rural area and countryside) of the childcare centres' based on postal codes and the national population density registry. MC was measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD)-3, as well as by quantifying time spent outdoors and participation in organised sports via parental questionnaire. It was found that children from the countryside had better MC and spent most time outdoors, while children from the metropolitan area most frequently engaged in organised sports. Gender comparisons revealed that girls outperformed boys in locomotor skills, while boys were better in object control skills, had higher TGMD-3 score and spent more time outdoors. Time spent outdoors and participation in organised sports were associated positively with MC, but not in children from the countryside. In conclusion, higher population density was associated with lower MC and less time spent outdoors. The findings suggest that versatile outdoor environments may support motor development through PA

Competence (human resources · Developmental psychology · Environmental health · Geography · Gross motor skill · Metropolitan area · Motor skill · Population · Rural area · Sociology · Children's Physical and Motor Development · Demography · Inclusion and Disability in Education and Sport · Medicine · Obesity, Physical Activity, Diet · Psychology · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOISci-HubOpen Access