Is There A Relationship Between Fundamental Movement Skills And Habitual Physical Activity In Young Children?

Abstract

It is widely believed that fundamental movement skills and habitual physical activity (PA) are closely related in childhood. Some researchers have questioned whether these variables are strongly related and a more detailed understanding of this relationship has been highlighted as a research priority by the CDC. PURPOSE To determine the relationships between objectively measured habitual PA (total volume of physical activity, time spent in light intensity activity and moderate and vigorous physical activity [MVPA]) and fundamental movement skills in preschool children METHODS Physical activity was measured using the CSA/MTI accelerometer over 6 days in 394 boys and girls (mean age 4.2, SD 0.5 years) participating as the baseline sample in the 'MAGIC' randomised controlled trial. Time spent in spent in light intensity activity and MVPA was established using published pediatric cut-offs. Children were scored between 0–15 on 15 fundamental movement skills, based on the Movement Assessment Battery, by a single trained observer. RESULTS Total physical activity (r 0.10, p < 0.05) and % time spent in moderatevigorous physical activity (MVPA; r 0.18, p < 0.001) were significantly, but weakly, correlated with fundamental movement skills score. Time spent in light intensity physical activity was not significantly correlated with fundamental movement skills score (r 0.02, p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The present study questions whether the widely assumed relationship between fundamental movement skills and habitual physical activity actually exists in young children.