Exploring the relationships between fundamental movement skills and health related fitness components in children

Abstract

This study examined the relationship between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and health related fitness (HRF) components in children. A cross section of Irish primary school children across all age groups participated in this study (n=2098, 47% girls, age 5–12 years of age, mean age 9.2 ± 2.04). FMS were measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-3), along with two additional assessments of vertical jump and balance. All HRF components were also assessed: body composition through BMI and waist circumference, muscular strength (MS) using a hand dynamometer, muscular endurance (ME) through the plank test, flexibility with back-saver sit-and-reach, and cardiovascular endurance (CVE) using the 20 m PACER test. Hierarchal multiple regressions were used to measure associations between the HRF components and overall FMS and the FMS subtests: locomotor, object control and balance skills. Results show significant positive relationships between FMS and MS (R² = 0.25, β= −0.19), ME (R² = 0.11, β = 0.34), flexibility (R² = 0.13, β = 0.14) and CVE (R² = 0.17, β = 0.39), and an inverse relationship between FMS and body composition (R² = 0.25, β= −0.19). The data presented reinforces the position that the relationship between FMS and HRF is dynamic, and predominantly strengthens with age through the course of childhood. Findings suggest that developing FMS as a child may be important to developing HRF across childhood and into adolescence.

Keywords:

• Motor skills
• children’s health
• physical activity

Disclosure statement

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

Additional information

Funding

This publication has emanated from research supported in part by a research grant from Science Foundation Ireland (SFI) under grant number SFI/12/RC/2289, co-funded by the European Regional Development Fund, with assistance from the GAA’s Research and Games Development department and Dublin GAA.