Assessing basic motor competences, physical fitness, and executive function in 4-5-year-old children: a longitudinal study in a primary care setting

• Published in: Italian journal of pediatrics 2024-05, Vol.50 (1), p.108-7, Article 108
• Main Authors: Legarra-Gorgoñon, Gaizka, García-Alonso, Yesenia, Ramírez-Vélez, Robinson, Alonso-Martínez, Loreto, Izquierdo, Mikel, Alonso-Martínez, Alicia M
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Body mass index; Child development; Child, Preschool; Children; Children & youth; Cognition & reasoning; Cognitive ability; Executive function; Executive Function - physiology; Female; Girls; Go/no-go discrimination learning; Humans; Longitudinal Studies; Male; Motor ability; Motor skills; Motor Skills - physiology; Muscle strength; Physical fitness; Physical Fitness - physiology; Preschoolers; Primary care; Primary Health Care; Skills
• ISSN: 1824-7288; 1720-8424; 1824-7288
• DOI: 10.1186/s13052-024-01674-1

To evaluate the progression of physical fitness (PF), basic motor competence (BMC), and executive function (EF) over one year in children aged 4-5 years at a health center. In this longitudinal analysis, children's BMC was evaluated using the MOBAK KG test for object and self-movement. The PREFIT Battery gauged PF through handgrip strength, standing long jump, and other fitness measures, while the Early Years Toolbox appraised EF. Adjustments for confounding factors showed notable improvements in BMC, particularly in object movement (OM; mean difference 0.789, p = 0.044) and self-movement (SM; mean difference 0.842, p = 0.037), with overall MOBAK scores also increasing (mean difference 1.632, p = 0.018). Enhancements in the standing long jump (mean difference 9.036 cm, p = 0.014) and EF tasks "Mr. Ant" (mean difference 0.669, p