Background: The purpose of this research was to investigate the relationship between cognitive abilities and manual coordination and balance in preschool children. Methods: The sample consisted of 41 preschool children aged 6.4±0.8 on average, of both sexes (30 boys and 11 girls). On top of their regular preschool activities, the children attended a school of sports for preschool children - multisport activities and exercises, twice a week. The sample of measuring instruments comprised 4 motor tests (One-leg stand test, Mann’s test, Finger to nose, Front raises) and 2 cognitive tests (Raven's Colored Progressive Matrices, Cognitive Assessment System). Data was analyzed by applying Linear and Binary logistic regression analysis. Results: Based on the results of the research, one may conclude that there is a statistically significant relation between cognitive abilities and manual coordination in the tested sample of preschool children. The defined predictor system, which consisted of cognitive tests, showed a significant relationship with the hand coordination test, which was assessed by the Finger to Nose test with the eyes closed. A significant contribution to the established relation was given by the G factor estimated by Raven's colored progressive matrices. Conclusions: Physical activities contribute to the development of motor skills and thus to the development of some cognitive abilities in children, which is of great importance for their further development.
References
1.
Abdelkarim O, Ammar A, Chtourou H, Wagner M, Knisel E, Hökelmann A, et al. Relationship between motor and cognitive learning abilities among primary school-aged children. Alexandria Journal of Medicine. 2017. p. 325–31.
2.
Asonitou K, Koutsouki D, Kourtessis T, Charitou S. Motor and cognitive performance differences between children with and without developmental coordination disorder (DCD). Res Dev Disabil. 2012. p. 996–1005.
3.
Biddle S, Ciaccioni S, Thomas G, Vergeer I. Physical activity and mental health in children and adolescents: An updated review of reviews and an analysis of causality. Psychology of Sport and Exercise. 2019. p. 146–55.
4.
Bidzan-Bluma I, Lipowska M, Budde H, Voelcker-Rehage C, Pietrabyk-Kendziorra S, Ribeiro P, et al. Physical activity and cognitive functioning of children: A systematic review. Environ. Res. Public Health. 2018. p. 219–23.
5.
Clark J, Metcalf J. Motor development: Research and reviews. National Association for Sport and Physical Education; 2002. p. 163–90.
6.
Corbin C, Pangrazi R, Franks B. Definitions: health, fitness, and physical activity. Pres. Counc. Phys. Fit. Sports Res. Dig. 2000. p. 1–11.
7.
Das J, Naglieri J, Kirby J. Assessment of cognitive processes. Allyn & Bacon; 1994.
8.
Davies S, Janus M, Duku E, Gaskin A. Using the Early Development Instrument to examine cognitive and non-cognitive school readiness and elementary student achievement. Early Childhood Research Quarterly. 2016. p. 63–75.
9.
Diamond A. The evidence base for improving school outcomes by addressing the whole child and by addressing skills and attitudes, not just content. Early Education and Development. 2010. p. 780–93.
10.
Dolenc M, Pistotnik B, Pinter S. Proceedings Book of 3 rd International Scientific Conference. Kinesiology New Perspectives. Faculty of Kinesiology; 2002. p. 105–8.
11.
Dunsky A. The Effect of Balance and Coordination Exercises on Quality of Life in Older Adults: A Mini-Review. Frontiers in aging neuroscience. 2019. p. 318.
12.
Frick A, Möhring W. A matter of balance: motor control is related to children’s spatial and proportional reasoning skills. Frontiers in Psychology. 2016.
13.
García-Hermoso A, Alonso-Martinez A, Ramírez-Vélez R, Izquierdo M. Effects of Exercise Intervention on Health-Related Physical Fitness and Blood Pressure in Preschool Children: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Sports medicine. 2020. p. 187–203.
14.
Gunnel K, Poitras V, Leblanc A, Schibli K, Barbeau K, Hedayati N, et al. Physical activity and brain structure, brain function, and cognition in children and youth: A systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Ment. Health Phys. Act. 2019. p. 105–27.
15.
Hagovská M, Olekszyová Z. Relationships between balance control and cognitive functions, gait speed, and activities of daily living. Beziehung zwischen der Kontrolle des Körpergleichgewichts und kognitiven Funktionen, Gehgeschwindigkeit sowie Aktivitäten des täglichen Lebens. Zeitschrift fur Gerontologie und Geriatrie. 2016. p. 379–85.
16.
The jamovi project (2021). jamovi. (Version 1.8) [Computer Software].
17.
Hillman C, Pontifex M, Raine L, Castelli D, Hall E, Kramer A. The effect of acute treadmill walking on cognitive control and academic achievement in preadolescent children. Neuroscience. 2009. p. 1044–54.
18.
Ismail A, Gruber J. Integrated Development -Motor Aptitude and Intellectual Performance. Charles E. Merrill Books; 1971.
19.
Lavigne T, Hoza B, Smith A, Shoulberg E, Bukowski W. Associations between physical fitness and children’s psychological well-being. Journal of Clinical Sport Psychology. 2016. p. 32–47.
20.
Lopes V, Stodden D, Bianchi M, Maia J, Rodrigues L. Correlation between BMI and motor coordination in children. J. Sci. Med. Sport. 2012. p. 38–43.
21.
Malina R, Bouchard C, Bar-Or O. Growth, Maturation, and Physical Activity, 2nd edition. Human Kinetics; 2004.
22.
Michel E, Roethlisberger M, Neuenschwander R, Roebers C. Contemporary Intellectual Assessment. Child Neuropsychology. Guilford; 2011. p. 136–82.
23.
Naglieri J, Rojahn J. Validity of the PASS Theory and CAS: Correlations with Achievement. Journal of Educational Psychology. 2004. p. 174–81.
24.
Naglieri J. The Cognitive Assessment System. 2005.
25.
Contemporary Intellectual Assessment. Guilford; p. 441–60.
26.
Páez-Maldonado J, Reigal R, Morillo-Baro J, Carrasco-Beltrán H, Hernández-Mendo A, Morales-Sánchez V, et al. Beneficial Effects of Interactive Physical-Cognitive Game-Based Training on Fall Risk and Cognitive Performance of Older Adults. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020. p. 176–80.
27.
Rajović R, Berić D, Bratić M, Živković M, Stojiljković N. Effects of an “NTC” exercise program on the development of motor skills in preschool children. Facta Universitatis, Series: Physical Education and Sport. 2017. p. 315–29.
28.
Raven J. The Raven’s progressive matrices: change and stability over culture and time. Cognitive psychology. 2000. p. 1–48.
29.
Raven J, Court. Raven’s progressive matrices. Western Psychological Services; 1938.
30.
Smith J, Eather N, Morgan P, Plotnikoff R, Faigenbaum A, Lubans D. The health benefits of muscular fitness for children and adolescents: a systematic review and metaanalysis. Sports medicine. 2014. p. 1209–23.
31.
Sofi F, Valecchi D, Bacci D, Abbate R, Gensini G, Casini A, et al. Physical activity and risk of cognitive decline: A meta-analysis of prospective studies. J. Intern. Med. 2011. p. 107–17.
32.
Stojanović M, Stojanović M. Zbornik radova interdisciplinarne naučne konferencije sa međunarodnim učešćem Antropološki status i fizička aktivnost dece i omladine (str. 2006. p. 219–24.
33.
Vickerman P. Ecological intervention for children with movement difficulties (Manual) -By David Sugden and Sheila Henderson. British Journal of Special Education. 2008. p. 252–3.
34.
Yang C, Hsieh J, Chen Y, Yang S, Lin H, Sadri F, et al. Relationship between cognitive abilities and manual coordination and balance in preschool children. Exercise and Quality of Life; 2020. p. 31–8.
35.
Mla: Sadri F. Relationship between cognitive abilities and manual coordination and balance in preschool children. Exercise and Quality of Life. 2021. p. 31–8.
36.
Chicago :, Sadri F, Sadri I, Krneta Ž, Jocić J, Batez M. Relationship between cognitive abilities and manual coordination and balance in preschool children. Exercise and Quality of Life. 2021. p. 31–8.
The statements, opinions and data contained in the journal are solely those of the individual authors and contributors and not of the publisher and the editor(s). We stay neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.