Children (Aug 2021)

Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Activity of 3–4-Year-Old Children within Early Childhood Centers in New Zealand

  • Ajmol Ali,
  • Claire McLachlan,
  • Tara McLaughlin,
  • Owen Mugridge,
  • Cathryn Conlon,
  • Karen Mumme,
  • Tayla Knightbridge-Eager

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/children8090742
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 8, no. 9
p. 742

Abstract

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We sought to describe and explore relationships between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and level of physical activity (PA; light-, medium-, vigorous, and kCal/hour) in preschool children, aged 3–4-years-old, across four early childhood education (ECE) settings. Children’s FMS were assessed using the Test for Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2; n = 81) and PA via accelerometers (S = 53). Eighty-four children participated, with 50 in both assessments. The TGMD-2 showed as the children got older, their locomotor skills (p p p p p s = 0.707) activity, and between gross motor quotient and locomotor (p p < 0.001, r = 0.367) skills. No correlation was observed between gross motor quotient and kCal/hour. To conclude, children in this cohort were primarily inactive during ECE center hours. Moreover, gross motor quotient was significantly correlated to locomotor and object control skills.

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