Toward better functional capacity and physical literacy” – longitudinal sosioecological factors associations with 5th grade pupil’s (Taiturit)
Main funder
Funder's project number: OKM/19/626/2021, OKM/93/626/2021, OKM/81/626/2022
Funds granted by main funder (€)
- 345 000,00
Funding program
Project timetable
Project start date: 01/04/2021
Project end date: 31/12/2024
Summary
In Finland, nationally comprehensive data on the health-related fitness has been collected with MOVE! measurements since 2016 in 5th graders (11 years of age) and 2018 in 8th graders (14 years of age). Health-related fitness refers to the body's functional ability to cope with tasks that require physical exertion. From the perspectives of both individual development and public health, it would be crucial to identify as early as possible the factors that explain the differences in the development of health-related fitness. This information would help to intervene health-related behaviours at the earliest possible stage and prevent the emergence of risk factors for health and well-being. This longitudinal study seeks to identify factors and mechanisms, starting from early childhood (3 years of age) that explain the differences in health-related fitness at the 5th grade. The research is based on a developmental model that assumes interaction between motor competence, physical activity, perceived competence and health-related fitness to form a key mechanism for the positive trajectory of health across the childhood. A unique approach of the study provides knowledge of the socioenvironmental influences on the developmental mechanisms. The study will be based on the geographically representative follow-up studies of families with children (Skilled Kids and Active Family) conducted in 2015-2017 and 2018-2020, as well as on the proposed new measurements (physical activity, motor competence, physical literacy (physical, psychological, social and cognitive domains), social support) to be conducted in association with the children's MOVE! measurements at the 5th grade.
