Motor Competence and Attainment of Global Physical Activity Guidelines among a Statewide Sample of Preschoolers

Abstract

Global physical activity guidelines for preschoolers include 60 min of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) daily. This study, based on the developmental model of motor skill competence, examines how motor competence relates to preschoolers’ likelihood of meeting global guidelines using ankle accelerometry. We measured physical activity using 24-h ankle-placement accelerometry (Actical) for at least two consecutive days (87% with six-seven days), motor competence using the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2), and BMI-for-age z-scores (BMIz) using anthropometry and age- and sex-specific CDC norms. Caregivers provided demographic characteristics of children’s age, sex, and race. We used multivariable logistic regression to examine how motor competence, BMIz weight status, and demographic characteristics related to meeting global physical activity guidelines. The sample included 588 preschoolers, age 3–5 years; 55% male; 60% white; and 28% overweight/obese; 75% attained the recommended 60 min of MVPA per day. The odds of meeting MVPA guidelines were associated with higher gross motor quotient, higher object control scores, sex (male), age (older), and race (white), but not with BMIz weight status. Findings support the use of 24-h ankle accelerometry among preschoolers and are consistent with the developmental model of motor competence applied to preschoolers, whereby object control competence relates positively to attaining global physical activity guidelines.

Relationship between 24-hour Activity Behavior and Body Fat Percentage in Preschool Children: Based on Compositional Data and Isotemporal Substitution Analysis

“…Conversely, female children's BFP is more in uenced by LPA and SP [13,42]. This gender disparity in activity levels aligns with prior research and could stem from genderspeci c activity preferences or external factors like environmental and sociocultural in uences [43].…”

Adherence to the World Health Organization’s physical activity recommendation in preschool-aged children: a systematic review and meta-analysis of accelerometer studies

“…Among studies not included in the meta-analysis, one study reported that between 80 and 90% of children adhered to MVPA aspect of the recommendation [ 67 ], two studies reported 70-80% of children adhered to the MVPA aspect of the recommendation [ 42 , 71 ], and one study reported that 60-70% of preschool-aged children adhered to the MVPA aspect of the recommendation [ 83 ].…”

On the Move or Barely Moving? Age-Related Changes in Physical Activity, Sedentary, and Sleep Behaviors by Weekday/Weekend Following Pandemic Control Policies

“…We mailed an accelerometer (Actical, formerly Minimitter Co., Philips Respironics, Bend, OR, USA), instructions to wear the accelerometer for seven days without removal, and a pre-paid return envelope to caregivers who placed the accelerometers on their child’s non-dominant ankle and returned the accelerometers to study staff. Data, downloaded with Actical software (version 2.12) (Philips Respironics, Bend, OR, USA), included average minutes of MVPA, LPA, and SS using thresholds validated among adolescents [ 20 ] and toddlers [ 21 ], which have been previously used with preschool-aged children [ 22 ].…”