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Articles

Influences of executive functions on agility and comprehensive physical ability in kindergarteners

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Pages 535-544 | Received 27 Sep 2019, Accepted 18 May 2020, Published online: 10 Jun 2020
 

ABSTRACT

The purpose of the present study was to clarify comprehensively how and to what extent inhibition, spatial working memory (WM), and auditory WM influence agility, balance, and dexterity of motor coordination and comprehensive physical ability in kindergarteners. Participants were 43 children between the ages of 4 and 5 years old. The children performed executive function (inhibition and WM) and motor coordination tasks, and a teacher evaluated their comprehensive physical abilities. Results showed that spatial WM was significantly related to auditory WM, executive functions were significantly related to agility, and agility was significantly related to comprehensive physical ability. Furthermore, using structural equation modelling, we investigated whether executive functions influenced comprehensive physical ability via motor coordination. Results showed a significant correlation between spatial WM and auditory WM. Executive functions, including inhibition, spatial WM, and auditory WM, predicted comprehensive physical ability via agility of motor coordination in the kindergarteners.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (C) from the Japan Society for the Promotion of Science [grant number JP16K01866] and by the grant in Hiroshima Jogakuin University.

Notes on contributors

Sho Aoyama

Sho Aoyama is a lecturer in the Department of Child Education, Hiroshima Jogakuin University and a graduate student in the Joint Graduate School in Science of School Education, Hyogo University of Teacher Education. His research interest is in childhood executive function and motor skills.

Kyoko Imai-Matsumura

Kyoko Imai-Matsumura is a professor in the Department of Education, Bukkyo University. She has published physiological and psychological works. Her recent interests are in executive function, self-regulation, and eye gazes in childhood.

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