Association Between Strength Fitness And Gross Motor Function In Children: A Us National Study

Abstract

It was believed that children with better motor function and skills will be likely more physically active. Yet, contribution of fitness, especially muscular strength, to children’s motor function and skill has not been well understood. PURPOSE: To examine the relationship between core and upper-body strength and gross motor function in children using a US national sample. METHODS: Three data sets in the 2012 National Youth Fitness Survey (NNYFS) were merged: Test of Gross Motor Development – Second Edition (TGMD-2), modified pull-up, and plank. TGMD-2 total score (TGMD-2 TS) was calculated by adding “Local motor subtest raw score” and “Object control subtest raw score” together. Descriptive statistics and correlations of TGMD-2 TS, “# of correctly completed modified pull-ups (M-Pull-up)”, and “# of seconds planks position is held (Planks)” were computed using the 2012 NNYFS data. RESULT: A total of 6375389 of boys and 6134317 of girls who aged between 3 and 5 yr. old participated in 2012 NNYFS, and their performances (M±SD) in gross motor function and fitness, as well as their correlations (r), are summarized below: Table CONCLUSION: As children become older, core and upper-body strength seems playing a positive impact on children’s gross motor function in both boys and girls.