Exploring the relationship between motor competence and physical performance in preschool children: A cross-sectional study

• Published in: Retos (Madrid) 2024 (55), p.635-641
• Main Authors: Prieto González, Pablo, Kurt, Cem, Canli, Umut
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1579-1726; 1988-2041; 1988-2041
• DOI: 10.47197/retos.v55.104197

Objectives: Motor competence (MC) and physical fitness are important factors for a healthy life over time. This study aimed to assess the association between motor competence and physical performance in children aged 4-6 years. Methods: One hundred thirty-nine children (78 boys and 61 girls) were recruited for the study from a preschool in Tekirdağ province, Turkey. Their motor competence was evaluated by the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK+3) test battery combined with an alternating one-handed ball-catching and -throwing task on the first day of the study. On the second day of the study, the children underwent a series of performance tests, including the static and dynamic balance test, pro-agility test, and countermovement jump test. Results: Partial correlation analyses showed no association between motor competence and any performance test results. Fisher’s r-to-z analysis test also indicated that gender did not differentiate the results in terms of the potential association between motor competence and performance test results. Conclusion: No significant association was found between motor competence and physical performance in children aged 4-6 years. Gender did not influence this relationship either. These findings suggest that further research with larger and more diverse samples is needed to better understand the link between motor competence and physical performance in early childhood. Objetivo: La competencia motriz (CM) y la aptitud física son factores importantes para una vida saludable a lo largo de la vida. El propósito del estudio fue evaluar la asociación entre la competencia motriz y el rendimiento físico en niños de 4 a 6 años. Métodos: Ciento treinta y nueve niños (78 niños y 61 niñas) de preescolar de la provincia de Tekirdağ, (Turquía) participaron en la investigación. Su competencia motriz se evaluó mediante la batería de pruebas Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder (KTK+3) combinada con una tarea alternativa de lanzamiento y recepción de pelotas con una mano el primer día del estudio. En el segundo día del estudio, los participantes realizaron una serie de pruebas de rendimiento, incluyendo la prueba de equilibrio Miniboard, la prueba de Pro agilidad y la prueba de salto con contramovimiento. Resultados: Los análisis de correlación parcial no mostraron asociación entre la competencia motriz y los resultados de las pruebas de rendimiento. La prueba de análisis r-to-z de Fisher también demostró que el género no tenía efecto sig