Association between motor competence and executive functions in children

Abstract

Previous studies investigating the relationship between executive functions (EFs) and motor competence (MC) in typically developing children have produced inconsistent findings regarding the association’s strength and nature. Thus, the present study aimed to explore the relationship between EFs and MC in typically developing children aged 6–11 years old. Additionally, we aimed to explore the relationship between EFs and MC in younger (6–8 years old) and older (9–11 years old) typically developing children. In total, 152 children of both sexes performed the Flanker/Reverse Flanker test, Tower of London, Raven’s Colored Matrices, Körperkoordinations Test Für Kinder, and Test of Gross Motor Development. Using the global score of MC and EFs and controlling for age, our results showed a significant and medium correlation between MC and EFs (r = 0.380, p < .001). Moreover, the correlation in younger children (r = 0.470), as well as in older (r = 0.272) children were significant. The regression analysis also showed that MC predicts EFs performance in all participants, in younger children, and older children, although with less explained variance for older children. In short, our study suggests that it is needed to promote the development of MC and EFs in children, especially the younger ones.

Keywords:

• Association
• executive functions
• older children
• motor competence
• younger children

Acknowledgments

We want to thank the children and their parents/guardians who volunteered and contributed to the accomplishment of the present study.

Additional information

Funding

This study was financed in part by the Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de Minas Gerais - Brasil (FAPEMIG).