The Relationship Between Motor Proficiency and Physical Activity in Children

Abstract

Motor proficiency is positively associated with physical activity and inversely associated with sedentary activity in children, but there may be a threshold of motor proficiency above which children may be the most physically active. Children's motor proficiency may be an appropriate target for increasing physical activity in youth.

Developmental and physical-fitness associations with gross motor coordination problems in Peruvian children

“…Sex differences in GMC have been previously reported favouring boys (Graf et al, 2004;Martins et al, 2010;Wrotniak, Epstein, Dorn, Jones, & Kondilis, 2006), and our results (Model 3) suggest that girls are $5 times more likely to have poor GMC than boys, after controlling for age, BMI, PF tests, maturity offset, and altitude. Such findings reflect a complex interaction of biological and cultural factors, which are probably linked with differential physical activities and sport participation (Malina et al, 2004).…”

A longitudinal study of gross motor coordination and weight status in children

“…This latter factor is more than likely to impact upon motor (in)competence as well as the risk to develop overweight or obesity over time (15,(24)(25)(26)(27). Our results substantiate the point of reverse causality by demonstrating that among the followed-up participants higher baseline BMI z-scores resulted in a decrease in KTK MQ's, whereas at the same time lower baseline KTK MQ's resulted in an increase in BMI z-scores over 2 years.…”

“…Given that both childhood overweight and obesity as well as lower motor skill levels have been linked with less active lifestyles (24)(25)(26)(27), PA might act as an important mediator (8,28,29). As noted by Wrotniak et al (30), children with poorer motor skills are less likely to be physically active and probably drawn to more sedentary pursuits, which subsequently may lead to the development of overweight and obesity.…”

Early childhood television viewing and kindergarten entry readiness

“…This is statistically remarkable and points to a stronger effect than is suggested by the coefficients. By statistical standards, the results show modest associations, yet these are net effects that chart a developmental course that could ultimately compromise achievement, social relations, physical prowess, and preferences and habits toward a healthy lifestyle (13,(29)(30)(31)37). Nevertheless, when dealing with high-stakes outcomes such as school readiness and achievement, even small effect sizes can translate into important social costs when projected over a lifespan and across an entire population.…”

“…Personal preferences might mean engaging in fewer lifestyle activities that involve running, kicking, and catching a ball, as well as playing games that develop spatial, eye-hand, and perceptive-cognitive coordination. In children, frequent physical activity is linked with proficient motor skills (30). Such processes may explain why excessive early televiewing is also prospectively associated with less explosive leg strength, an important indicator of physical capability (31).…”