Early Motor Skill Competence As a Mediator of Child and Adult Physical Activity

Overview

Journal Prev Med Rep

Date 2016 Feb 5

PMID 26844157

Citations 41

Authors

Paul D Loprinzi

Robert E Davis

Yang-Chieh Fu

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: In order to effectively promote physical activity (PA) during childhood, and across the lifespan, a better understanding of the role of early motor skill development on child and adult PA is needed.

Methods: Here, we propose a conceptual model delineating the hypothesized influence of motor skill development on child and adult PA, while providing an overview of the current empirical research related to this model.

Results: There is consistent and emerging evidence showing that adequate motor skill competence, particularly locomotor and gross motor skills, is associated with increased PA levels during the preschool, child, and adolescent years, with early motor skill development also influencing enjoyment of PA as well as long-term PA and motor skill performance. The physical education setting appears to be a well-suited environment for motor skill development.

Conclusion: Employing appropriate strategies to target motor skill development across the childhood years is of paramount interest in helping shape children's PA behavior, their experiences related to PA, as well as maintain their PA.

Citing Articles

Characteristics of Children with an Undesirable Motor Competence Development During the Transition from Early to Middle Childhood: Results of a 2-Year Longitudinal Study.

Koolwijk P, de Jonge E, Mombarg R, Remmers T, Van Kann D, van Aart I Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024; 21(11).

PMID: 39595727 PMC: 11593646. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21111460.

Promoting physical activity and youth development in schools: the case for near-peer coaches.

St Pierre C, Mitchell J, Guan W, Sacheck J Front Public Health. 2024; 12:1345282.

PMID: 38525329 PMC: 10957741. DOI: 10.3389/fpubh.2024.1345282.

Motor proficiency of learners with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities.

Fernandes J, De Milander M, van der Merwe E Afr J Disabil. 2024; 13:1262.

PMID: 38445071 PMC: 10912881. DOI: 10.4102/ajod.v13i0.1262.

Changes in Motor Competence of 4-8-Year-Old Children: A Longitudinal Study.

Koolwijk P, de Jonge E, Mombarg R, Remmers T, Van Kann D, van Aart I Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2024; 21(2).

PMID: 38397681 PMC: 10887773. DOI: 10.3390/ijerph21020190.

The Effects of a 6-Week Swimming Intervention on Gross Motor Development in Primary School Children.

Pratt N, Duncan M, Oxford S Children (Basel). 2024; 11(1).

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