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
JYU authors or editors
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 activity; environmental factors; residential environment; outdoor recreation; physical hobbies; environment
Free keywords: motor competence; geographical location; residential density; outdoor time; participation in sports
Contributing organizations
Related projects
- Taitavat tenavat (Skilled Kids)
- Sääkslahti, Arja
- Ministry of Education and Culture
Related research datasets
Ministry reporting: Yes
VIRTA submission year: 2019
JUFO rating: 1