Associations Between Physical Activity, Fundamental Motor Skills, And Physical Fitness In Norwegian Preschooler`s

Abstract

PURPOSE: The importance of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) for physical fitness (FIT) and motor development is well established in school-aged children and adolescents. As many children have suboptimal motor skills and FIT, early childhood has been highlighted as an important phase for optimizing MVPA levels, and such, possibly improve FIT and motor skills. However, the relationship between MVPA and FIT and motor skills have had limited testing in preschool populations. The aim of this study was to investigate cross-sectional associations between MVPA and a broad set of motor skill and FIT measures in a large sample of preschoolers. METHODS: A sample of 1047 children (mean age 4.3 yr, 52% boys) from the Active Learning Norwegian Preschool(er)s Study participated during 2020-2021. MVPA was measured by accelerometry (Actigraph GT3x+) for 7 days and data were analysed using 1-sec epoch. MVPA was defined as ≥2296 counts. FMS were evaluated by a process-oriented test battery (9 items) across the domains: total score, locomotor, object control, and balance skills. FIT was assessed through three tests including speed-agility, hand grip, and standing long jump. A linear mixed model adjusted for sex, age, BMI (kg/m2), accelerometer wear time, and test person, was applied. RESULTS: There were significant, positive associations between MVPA and total skill score (β (95 % CI): 18 (13.8, 22.2), p < 0.001), locomotor- (14 (10.6, 17.3), p < 0.001), object control- (11.8 (8.5, 15.1), p < 0.001), and balance skills (5.4 (2.5, 8.3), p < 0.001), long jump (0.2 (0.2, 0.3), p < 0.001), and hand grip (1,2 (0.7, 1.7), p < 0.001), and a negative association with speed-agility (-1.6 (-2, -1.2), p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that MVPA is favorably and strongly associated with many dimensions of motor skills and FIT in preschoolers. As physical activity is a modifiable behavior, our findings suggests that promotion of MVPA might improve children’s motor skills and FIT levels during early childhood.