Relationship between Fundamental Movement Skills and Leisurely Physical Activity among Children: A Cross-sectional Study

Purpose
This study aimed to examine the relationship between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and leisurely physical activity (LPA) in sample of preschool children.
Methods
The study assessed 409 preschoolers, aged between 3 to 7 years (average age 5.02 ± 0.47 years; 45.23% were girls), on five FMS: (1) kicking a ball over an obstacle, (2) inserting a coin with hand movements, (3) walking on a balance beam, (4) continuously jumping on both feet, and (5) completing a 10-meter toss and run. These indicators represent control, skills, stability skills, and locomotion skills. LPA was documented through parental reports, which covered a range of daily activities including walks to kindergarten, visits to parks or terraces, and outings to shopping areas. Additional assessments included height, weight, and demographic information. Spearman correlation analysis was utilized to probe the cross-sectional links between FMS and LPA.
Results
The analysis showed that kicking a ball over an obstacle did not significantly correlate with LPA during either midweek or weekend (P>0.05). The skill of inserting a coin was positively related to midweek physical activity (r=0.107, P<0.05), but showed no significant relationship with weekend activity levels (P>0.05). Balance beam walking correlated positively with both midweek (r=0.101, P<0.05) and weekend leisure activities (r=0.099, P<0.05). The 10-meter toss and run was positively associated with midweek activities (r=0.123, P<0.05), but not weekend activities (P>0.05). Continuous jumping on both feet had significant positive associations with leisure activity across both time frames, with midweek (r=0.161, P<0.001) and weekend activities (r=0.120, P<0.015) showing correlations.
Conclusions
The study findings indicate that among preschool children, locomotion and stability skills have a significant relationship with LPA, whereas object control skills have a weaker association. Enhancing skills in locomotion and stability might be key to promoting higher levels of LPA among children, both during the weekdays and on weekends.