The relationship of cognitive abilities and motor proficiency in preschool children – pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to evaluate the relationship between cognitive abilities and motor skills in a selected group of preschool children. Material and methods: We measured 56 children (27 girls, 29 boys; average age 5.97±0.42). The level of motor proficiency was measured using the short version of the BOT-2 test, and cognitive abilities were measured using the colored trail making test for children. Results: Girls scored better on all test items, and the observed differences were not statistically significant, except for the difference in fine manual control. For this category, the results for girls were significantly better than those for boys (p<0.01). The effect size of the observed differences in cognitive and motor skill levels between girls and boys had a large effect. The results showed a strong correlation between the level of cognitive abilities and the level of motor profieciency in preschool children (r=0.61; p<0.01) in the whole group as well as when assessing correlations separately for the group of boys (r=0.64; p<0.01) and the group of girls (r=0.50; p<0.01). Moderate to moderately strong correlations have been proved between the level of cognitive ability and the level of motor profieciency in particial motor categories: manual coordination (r=0.65; p<0.01), fine manual control (r=0.52; p<0.01), and body coordination (r=0.50; p<0.01). The relationship between the level of cognitive ability, strength, and agility was weak (r=0.34; p<0.05). Considering all test limits, the process of testing, and preschool age specifics, we can state that there is a strong correlation between motor and cognitive abilities. Conclusions: Motor and cognitive ability development are closely related. The results of this study demonstrated the importance of complex development and early screening. The results of this study can serve as another useful insight related to previous claims in the field of the development of cognitive abilities and motor proficiency.