Association between Physical Activity and Fundamental Movement Skills in Preschool-Aged Children: Does Perceived Movement Skill Competence Mediate This Relationship?

Amy S. C. Ha,Qing He,Johan Y. Y. Ng,John Cairney,Chloe Bedard

doi:10.3390/ijerph18031289

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this research is to examine whether perceived fundamental movement skills (FMS) competence mediated the relationship between actual FMS and physical activity (PA) in Hong Kong preschool-aged children. Design: A cross−sectional study. Methods: 148 preschool-aged children (43% girls; mean age = 4.52 ± 0.67 years) from five preschools/childcare centres completed all assessments. Actual FMS was rated using the Test of Gross Motor Development−2, whilst perceived FMS was assessed via the Pictorial Scale for Perceived Movement Skill Competence. PA was measured through accelerometry. A bootstrap method was used to assess the potential mediating effect of perceived movement skill competence on the relationship between actual FMS and PA. All mediation models were adjusted for sex and age. Results: Mediation analyses showed that the direct path between actual FMS and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significant (b = 0.228, p = 0.008), as was the path between MVPA and actual FMS (b = 0.214, p = 0.008). However, perceived FMS competence did not mediate the association between actual FMS and MVPA in the models. Conclusions: Our results showed evidence of reciprocal pathways between actual FMS and MVPA, reinforcing the need to simultaneously target both domains as part of broader developmental strategies, initiated in early childhood. Unlike emergent adolescence, perceptions of movement skill competence do not play a significant role in influencing the relationship between actual FMS proficiency and MVPA in this developmental period.

Highlights

Childhood is a crucial developmental stage for the establishment of a physically active lifestyle [1]
The children spent 144.33 min in light-to-moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (LMVPA), of which 67.77 min were spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day
Boys were more active than girls in terms of LMVPA and MVPA (p < 0.01 for both)

Summary

Introduction

Childhood is a crucial developmental stage for the establishment of a physically active lifestyle [1]. A recent systematic review synthesised evidence from 96 studies on the health implications of physical activity (PA) and indicated that PA participation had been consistently and favourably associated with multiple health indicators in early childhood years [2]. Evidence has manifested the importance of PA participation during early childhood, some previous surveys have revealed that pre-schoolers do not sufficiently engage in PA [2,4]. In order to understand the low levels of PA in this critical developmental period, we must first identify salient correlates of the behaviours, which is crucial for the development strategies for improving the health of young children.

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Discussion

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