The Influence of Cultural Experiences on the Associations between Socio-Economic Status and Motor Performance as Well as Body Fat Percentage of Grade One Learners in Cape Town, South Africa

Abstract

Fundamental movement skills (FMS), physical fitness (PF) and body fat percentage (BF%) are significantly related to socio-economic status (SES). However, it remains unclear why previous studies have had different findings regarding the direction of the association between SES and FMS, PF and BF%. A suggested explanation is that the direction of the link can be influenced by cultural experiences and traditions. Therefore, the aim of the current study was to investigate links between SES and FMS, PF, BF% of Grade One learners from two different ethno-geographic areas in Cape Town, South Africa. Grade One children (n = 191) (n = 106 boys and n = 85 girls; age (6.7 ± 0.33)) from different socio-economic areas in Cape Town, South Africa, were selected to participate in the study. South African schools are classified into five different quintiles (1 = poorest and 5 = least poor public schools). For this study, two schools were selected, one from quintile 2 and the other from quintile 5. BF% was assessed according to Slaughter’s equation. FMS were measured using the Gross Motor Development Test-2 (TGMD-2) and PF via five tests: 1. dynamic strength of lower limb (broad jump); 2. dynamic strength of upper limb and trunk (throwing a tennis ball); 3. speed agility (4 × 10 m shuttle running); 4. cardiorespiratory fitness (20 m shuttle run endurance test (Leger test)) and 5. flexibility (sit and reach test). An analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) found that BF% and WHtR were significantly greater in children with higher SES (Z = 6.04 p < 0.001; Hedg = 0.54), (Z = 3.89 p < 0.001; Hedg = 0.32). Children with lower SES achieved significantly better TGMD-2 standard scores in the locomotor subtest, compared to their peers with higher SES. In the object control subtest, no significant SES-related difference was found. However, ANCOVA showed that girls performed better in FMS than boys. In PF, the main effect of SES was observed in dynamic strength of trunk and upper limb (throwing) and flexibility, where children with lower SES performed significantly better. No significant difference was found in cardiorespiratory performance (CRP) (Beep test), even though children with lower SES achieved better results. Results from the current study suggest that links between SES, PF, FMS and body fat percentage in children seem to be dependent on cultural and traditional experiences. These experiences should therefore be included as an important factor for the development of programmes and interventions to enhance children’s lifelong motor behaviour and health strategies.

Association between socioeconomic status and motor development in early childhood

“…They only assessed gross motor development for grade one school students. So, our findings partly came in agreement with findings of Africa et al, (2021). Their sample included only school age children; those in grade one.…”

“…However there were many studies (8) (11) which reported negative or inverse association between SES and motor development. Africa et al, (2021) found inverse relation between SES and gross motor development in locomotor subtests, as well as non-significant relation between SES and object control subtest of gross motor skills. They only assessed gross motor development for grade one school students.…”

“…So, increased comfortable circumstances as well as decreased opportunities for motor activities may be a characteristic of high SES. Africa et al, (2021) reported increased body weight and percentage of body fat in preschool children from high SES than those with lower SES. This may be due to sedentary life style at which decreased level of physical activity and increased availability of food.…”

“…Some authors also stated the cross cultural differences as an explanation of different association results between SES and motor development. Kwon and O'Neill, (2020) and Africa et al, (2021) explained the effect of the culture of country or region as a mediating factor between SES and motor development. This means that the socio-cultural environment of high social classes in some countries support high physical activity and balanced diet for their children which lead to more advancement in motor development.…”

Growth, Somatic Maturation, and Their Impact on Physical Health and Sports Performance: An Editorial

“…Obesity, child motor development, and physical fitness are influenced by socioeconomic status. In fact, Africa et al [14] showed that in contrast to Western countries, children with lower socioeconomic status are leaner with a lower body fat and have better locomotor skills compared to their higher socioeconomic status peers in South Africa. Slankamenac et al [16] provided specific somatotype profiles for Montenegrin karatekas, highlighting the peculiarities in body shape among different age and weight categories.…”