Irene M J van der Fels1, Sanne C M Te Wierike2, Esther Hartman1, Marije T Elferink-Gemser3, Joanne Smith1, Chris Visscher1. 1. Center for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. 2. Center for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. Electronic address: s.c.m.te.wierike@umcg.nl. 3. Center for Human Movement Sciences, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands; Institute for Studies in Sports and Exercise, HAN University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: This review aims to give an overview of studies providing evidence for a relationship between motor and cognitive skills in typically developing children. DESIGN: A systematic review. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychINFO were searched for relevant articles. A total of 21 articles were included in this study. Methodological quality was independently assessed by two reviewers. Motor and cognitive skills were divided into six categories. RESULTS: There was either no correlation in the literature, or insufficient evidence for or against many correlations between motor skills and cognitive skills. However, weak-to-strong evidence was found for some correlations between underlying categories of motor and cognitive skills, including complex motor skills and higher order cognitive skills. Furthermore, a stronger relationship between underlying categories of motor and cognitive skills was found in pre-pubertal children compared to pubertal children (older than 13 years). CONCLUSIONS: Weak-to-strong relations were found between some motor and cognitive skills. The results suggest that complex motor intervention programs can be used to stimulate both motor and higher order cognitive skills in pre-pubertal children.
OBJECTIVES: This review aims to give an overview of studies providing evidence for a relationship between motor and cognitive skills in typically developing children. DESIGN: A systematic review. METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, and PsychINFO were searched for relevant articles. A total of 21 articles were included in this study. Methodological quality was independently assessed by two reviewers. Motor and cognitive skills were divided into six categories. RESULTS: There was either no correlation in the literature, or insufficient evidence for or against many correlations between motor skills and cognitive skills. However, weak-to-strong evidence was found for some correlations between underlying categories of motor and cognitive skills, including complex motor skills and higher order cognitive skills. Furthermore, a stronger relationship between underlying categories of motor and cognitive skills was found in pre-pubertal children compared to pubertal children (older than 13 years). CONCLUSIONS: Weak-to-strong relations were found between some motor and cognitive skills. The results suggest that complex motor intervention programs can be used to stimulate both motor and higher order cognitive skills in pre-pubertal children.