Physical activity types and motor skills in 3-5-year old children: National Youth Fitness Survey

Abstract

Objective: This study examined relationships between specific types of physical activity (PA) and motor skill development in preschool-aged children.

Design: This study was completed using a cross-sectional study design.

Methods: Data from children 3-5years old (N=342, 51% males) who participated in the 2012 National Youth Fitness Survey were analyzed. PA was measured using a questionnaire by parent report and motor skill development determined by Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd Edition (TGMD-2). Multiple regression analyses were conducted to examine the relationship between PA type and overall Gross Motor Quotient (GMQ) controlling for age, sex, race, and parental socioeconomic status.

Results: Commonly reported activities were running (43%), playing outdoor games (35%), and riding a bike (34%). Based on the standard scores, participants' motor skill development for Locomotor, Object Control, and overall GMQ were considered average. Participation in the following physical activities were positively associated with GMQ: riding a bike (β (SE)=5.27 (2.02), p=0.02), scooter riding (β (SE)=9.83 (2.59), p=0.002), swimming (β (SE)=4.01 (1.17), p=0.004), and jumping on a trampoline (β (SE)=7.45 (3.09), p=0.03). With the exception of riding a bike, the physical activities positively related to GMQ had a reported range of participation between 7-12%.

Conclusions: Participation in specific physical activities was related to higher GMQ in preschool-aged children. Also, with the exception of riding a bike, the activities that the children participated in the most were not the same as the activities that were positively related to motor skill development.

Keywords: Child; Motor skill development; NHANES; Physical activity; Preschool.