A1 Journal article (refereed)
Process- and Product-Oriented Fundamental Movement Skills in Early Childhood as Predictors of Later Health-Related Fitness (2024)


Kasanen, M., Sääkslahti, A., Niemistö, D., Tolvanen, A., Luukkainen, N.-M., Meklin, E., & Laukkanen, A. (2024). Process- and Product-Oriented Fundamental Movement Skills in Early Childhood as Predictors of Later Health-Related Fitness. Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise, 56(9), 1722-1731. https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003458


JYU authors or editors


Publication details

All authors or editors: Kasanen, Maria; Sääkslahti, Arja; Niemistö, Donna; Tolvanen, Asko; Luukkainen, Nanne-Mari; Meklin, Elina; Laukkanen, Arto

Journal or series: Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise

ISSN: 0195-9131

eISSN: 1530-0315

Publication year: 2024

Publication date: 19/04/2024

Volume: 56

Issue number: 9

Pages range: 1722-1731

Publisher: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins

Publication country: United Kingdom

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1249/MSS.0000000000003458

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Partially open access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/96776


Abstract

Introduction
The skill domains of fundamental movement skills (FMS), emphasizing gross motor movements, including locomotor skills (LMS) and object control skills (OCS), along with process- and product-oriented measures of FMS, may predict cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and muscular fitness (MF) differently. This study investigates the longitudinal relationship from early childhood FMS, focusing on process-oriented LMS and OCS and product-oriented FMS, to CRF and MF in late childhood.

Methods
The study involved 441 Finnish children (49.9% female, mean age at baseline 5.5 years) over a six-year period. FMS was evaluated using the Test of Gross Motor Development, third version (TGMD-3) for process-oriented LMS and OCS and, the Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder (KTK) was used to evaluate the product-oriented FMS. CRF was assessed through the total number of laps completed in the 20-meter shuttle run test, while MF was measured via repetitions of curl-ups and push-ups. Employing a two-level cross-classified regression analysis and Cholesky decomposition, this study aimed to determine the contributions of product-oriented KTK and process-oriented LMS and OCS. Adjustments for variations in age, measurement intervals, and maturation were achieved through residualization. Additionally, gender and body mass index (BMI) were incorporated as covariates in the analysis.

Results
The analysis revealed that process-oriented LMS (CRF: ΔR2 = 0.016, MF: ΔR2 = 0.014) significantly predicted later health-related fitness, while OCS did not. However, KTK exhibited a better ability to predict both CRF (ΔR2 = 0.092) and MF (ΔR2 = 0.032), overshadowing process-oriented measures.

Conclusions
In conclusion, the findings suggest that KTK, which potentially encompasses a broader spectrum of fitness elements along with FMS, more effectively predicts health-related fitness components than process-oriented FMS.


Keywords: motor skills (general); body control; children (age groups); childhood; physical fitness; physical activity; muscle fitness; respiratory organs; musculoskeletal system; longitudinal research

Free keywords: cardiorespitorary fitness; longitudinal study; motor competence; muscular fitness


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Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024

Preliminary JUFO rating: 3


Last updated on 2024-14-09 at 20:26