Habilidades de locomoção preveem habilidades de controle de objetos e atividade física moderada a vigorosa de pré-escolares de baixa renda, um ano depois

Abstract

Studies support the relationship between fundamental motor skills (FMS) and physical activity (PA) in early childhood, though the majority of this evidence is cross-sectional in nature and few longitudinal studies in low-income settings have been conducted. The aim of this study was to analyze whether low-income preschoolers FMS predicts FMS and moderate-to-vigorous PA (MVPA) one year later. Preschoolers (n = 109, 51 boys; 4.11 ± 0.83 years-old) were assessed for the Test of Gross Motor Development (2nd edition) at Year 1. One year later (Year 2), FMS and accelerometer data were assessed. By using structural equation models (Mplus 8.0), path analysis was conducted, considering child ́s age and sex. In the assessed low-income preschoolers, locomotion skills predicted object control and MVPA one year later, in such a way that the models could explain their variability in 23%, and 13% (β = 0.38; p = 0.02), respectively. Further longitudinal studies must be conducted to confirm these findings of evidence, considering possible additional confounders.