Testing the causal relationship between children's motor ability and lifestyle : How does life rhythm influence physical activity and motor ability?

Abstract

Appropriate life rhythm is essential for the healthy development of children. The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between children's physical activity, life rhythm and motor ability. The sample size of this research are 125 children (61 boys and 64 girls, aged [M±SD] 4.66±0.29 years old) and their parents. The children's motor abilities were tested in five items. The children's parents filled out a survey about the children's life rhythm and physical activity. As a result of exploratory factor analysis, we actually derived “motor ability”, “physical activity”, “morning life rhythm” and “evening life rhythm”. In these four factors, first, fundamental model which high motor ability influenced to facilitate physical activity were selected. Next, as a result of comparing AIGs, the models were selected, which morning life rhythm, such as early waking time and breakfast time, influenced motor ability and evening life rhythm, such as long hours of sleep and early bedtime, influenced to facilitate physical activity. Finally, we tested the model including “motor ability”, “physical activity”, “morning life rhythm” and “evening life rhythm”. As a result, the comprehensive model consisting of the four factors indicate a sufficient goodness of fit and have greater accountability than a given criterion (CMIN=48.990 [df=41, ns], GFI=0.928, AGFI=0.884, CFI=0.884, RMSEA=0.040). Though evening life rhythm was no significant relation to physical activity, morning life rhythm influenced motor ability (p<.05) and motor ability affects physical activity (p<.005).