Sanne L C Veldman1, Rute Santos2, Rachel A Jones3, Eduarda Sousa-Sá3, Anthony D Okely4. 1. Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia. Electronic address: s.veldman1@vumc.nl. 2. Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia; Research Centre in Physical Activity, Health and Leisure, Faculty of Sport, University of Porto, Porto, Portugal. 3. Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia. 4. Early Start, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia; Illawarra Health and Medical Research Institute, University of Wollongong, Wollongong, Australia.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The early years of life are critical for motor and cognitive development. A better understanding is needed on the associations between the control and development of motor and cognitive tasks. AIM: This study aimed to examine the association between gross motor skills and cognitive development in toddlers. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: This study included 335 toddlers (aged 19.80 ± 4.08 months, 53.7% boys) from 30 childcare services in Australia. OUTCOME MEASURES: Children were assessed on gross motor skills (Peabody Developmental Motor Scales 2nd Edition; PDMS-2) and cognitive development (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler development 3rd edition; Bayley-III). DATA ANALYSIS: A one-way ANCOVA was conducted to assess associations between gross motor skills and cognitive development controlling for childcare center, sex, age, body mass index and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: The average scores were 96.41 ± 9.84 for gross motor skills (range gross motor quotient 35-165) and 11.45 ± 3.03 for cognitive development (range standard score 1-19). There was a significant positive association between gross motor skills and cognition, F(2,260) = 12.245, p < 0.001. Both locomotion and object manipulation were significantly positively associated with cognition, F(2,266) = 14.607, p < 0.001 and F(2,265) = 9.039, p < 0.001 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of gross motor skills are positively associated with cognitive development in this sample of Australian toddlers. Results reinforce the need for early commencement of gross motor skill promotion as this might be important for cognitive development in the early years.
BACKGROUND: The early years of life are critical for motor and cognitive development. A better understanding is needed on the associations between the control and development of motor and cognitive tasks. AIM: This study aimed to examine the association between gross motor skills and cognitive development in toddlers. STUDY DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: This study included 335 toddlers (aged 19.80 ± 4.08 months, 53.7% boys) from 30 childcare services in Australia. OUTCOME MEASURES: Children were assessed on gross motor skills (Peabody Developmental Motor Scales 2nd Edition; PDMS-2) and cognitive development (Bayley Scales of Infant and Toddler development 3rd edition; Bayley-III). DATA ANALYSIS: A one-way ANCOVA was conducted to assess associations between gross motor skills and cognitive development controlling for childcare center, sex, age, body mass index and socioeconomic status. RESULTS: The average scores were 96.41 ± 9.84 for gross motor skills (range gross motor quotient 35-165) and 11.45 ± 3.03 for cognitive development (range standard score 1-19). There was a significant positive association between gross motor skills and cognition, F(2,260) = 12.245, p < 0.001. Both locomotion and object manipulation were significantly positively associated with cognition, F(2,266) = 14.607, p < 0.001 and F(2,265) = 9.039, p < 0.001 respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Levels of gross motor skills are positively associated with cognitive development in this sample of Australian toddlers. Results reinforce the need for early commencement of gross motor skill promotion as this might be important for cognitive development in the early years.
Authors: Elena Pinero-Pinto; Verónica Pérez-Cabezas; Concepción De-Hita-Cantalejo; Carmen Ruiz-Molinero; Estanislao Gutiérrez-Sánchez; José-Jesús Jiménez-Rejano; José-María Sánchez-González; María Carmen Sánchez-González Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2020-05-20 Impact factor: 3.390
Authors: Grace Branjerdporn; Pamela Meredith; Trish Wilson; Jennifer Strong Journal: Int J Environ Res Public Health Date: 2022-02-20 Impact factor: 3.390
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