Bi-directional prospective associations between objectively measured physical activity and fundamental motor skills in children: a two-year follow-up

Katrine Nyvoll Aadland,Einar Ylvisaaker,Jan Morten Loftesnes,Kjersti Johannessen,Ada Kristine Ofrim Nilsen,Sigmund Alfred Anderssen,Eivind Aadland

doi:10.1186/s12966-019-0902-6

Abstract

BackgroundThe direction of the longitudinal relationship between physical activity (PA) and fundamental motor skills (FMS) remains unclear. We evaluated the bi-directional, prospective relationships between intensity-specific physical activity (PA) and domain-specific fundamental motor skills (FMS) over 2 years in children attending preschool at baseline.MethodsA sample of 230 children (mean age at baseline 4.7 yr, 52% boys) from the 'Sogn og Fjordane Preschool Physical Activity Study' was measured 2 years apart. PA was assessed using ActiGraph accelerometers (GT3X+). FMS were evaluated by a test battery guided by the 'Test of Gross Motor Development 3' and the 'Preschooler Gross Motor Quality Scale'. PA outcomes were total PA (TPA [counts per minute]) and intensity specific PA and sedentary behaviour (SED) (min/day). FMS outcomes were locomotor, object control, and balance skills. Linear mixed model adjusting for potential co-variates was used to evaluate the bi-directional prospective associations between these variables, including the moderating effect of sex and age.ResultsBaseline total PA, moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA), and vigorous PA predicted higher locomotor, object control, and balance skills at follow-up (standardized regression coefficient (β): 0.17 to 0.26, p = 0.002–0.017). Baseline SED predicted lower locomotor skills at follow-up (β: − 0.27, p = 0.012). Baseline light PA did not predict FMS at follow-up. Baseline FMS were not associated with PA or SED at follow-up.ConclusionsMVPA was positively associated with development of FMS in young children. In contrast, FMS were not related to future PA levels. Our results suggest promotion of MVPA is important for FMS development in young children.

Highlights

The direction of the longitudinal relationship between physical activity (PA) and fundamental motor skills (FMS) remains unclear
We found that children who engaged in more moderate to vigorous PA (MVPA) and vigorous PA (VPA) during the preschool years performed better on FMS’s 2 years later
Our findings suggest prior time spent in MVPA is more important to the current level of FMS, than the prior motor skill level is for the current amount of MVPA when children are between the age of ≈5–8

Summary

Introduction

The direction of the longitudinal relationship between physical activity (PA) and fundamental motor skills (FMS) remains unclear. We evaluated the bi-directional, prospective relationships between intensity-specific physical activity (PA) and domain-specific fundamental motor skills (FMS) over 2 years in children attending preschool at baseline. Health related behaviours, such as physical activity (PA) and sedentary behaviour (SED), are typically established during early childhood, and evidence suggests that these behaviours track over time [1]. FMS’ are considered the 'building blocks' of more advanced, complex movements [14] Children develop their FMS through engagement in PA [15], as increased PA provides more opportunities to promote neuromotor development, which in turn promotes FMS development [16,17,18]. Many children have sub-optimal FMS levels [21,22,23]

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