A1 Journal article (refereed)
Environmental Correlates of Motor Competence in Children : The Skilled Kids Study (2019)

Niemistö, D., Finni Juutinen, T., Haapala, E., Cantell, M., Korhonen, E., & Sääkslahti, A. (2019). Environmental Correlates of Motor Competence in Children : The Skilled Kids Study. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(11), Article 1989. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16111989

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Publication details

All authors or editors: Niemistö , Donna; Finni Juutinen, Taija; Haapala, Eero; Cantell, Marja; Korhonen, Elisa; Sääkslahti, Arja

Journal or series: International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health

ISSN: 1661-7827

eISSN: 1660-4601

Publication year: 2019

Volume: 16

Issue number: 11

Article number: 1989

Publisher: MDPI

Publication country: Switzerland

Publication language: English

DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph16111989

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Publication is parallel published (JYX): https://jyx.jyu.fi/handle/123456789/64493

Abstract

Environment, physical activity (PA) and motor development are tightly interwoven during childhood. We examined the associations of environmental factors with motor competence (MC) in children. Children (N = 945, 50.1% boys, age = 3–7 years, mean = 5.4 years) from 37 childcare centres in the Southern (n = 17), Central (n = 13) and Northern Finland (n = 7) participated. The environmental factors comprised the geographical location (Southern, Central and Northern Finland) and residential density (metropolitan area, city, rural area and countryside) of the childcare centres’ based on postal codes and the national population density registry. MC was measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD)-3, as well as by quantifying time spent outdoors and participation in organised sports via parental questionnaire. It was found that children from the countryside had better MC and spent most time outdoors, while children from the metropolitan area most frequently engaged in organised sports. Gender comparisons revealed that girls outperformed boys in locomotor skills, while boys were better in object control skills, had higher TGMD-3 score and spent more time outdoors. Time spent outdoors and participation in organised sports were associated positively with MC, but not in children from the countryside. In conclusion, higher population density was associated with lower MC and less time spent outdoors. The findings suggest that versatile outdoor environments may support motor development through PA.

Keywords: children (age groups); motor skills (general); physical activeness; environmental factors; residential environment; outdoor recreation; physical hobbies; environment

Free keywords: motor competence; geographical location; residential density; outdoor time; participation in sports

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Ministry reporting: Yes

Reporting Year: 2019

JUFO rating: 1