Early Motor Developmental Milestones Predict Aerobic Fitness And Body Composition In Preadolescent Childhood

PURPOSE: Early motor skill development contributes to the foundation for an active and healthy lifestyle. We assessed the relation of age at which motor developmental milestones (MDM) were first observed in early life with cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) and body composition (BC) in preadolescence to understand if early markers of motor behavior reflect later health outcomes. METHODS: Guardians of 184 children (8-11 years; 81 female) reported on five MDMs: the age their child first (1) held their head up unsupported, (2) rolled over, (3) sat, (4) stood, and (5) walked independently. CRF was assessed via maximal oxygen consumption (VO2 max). BC was assessed via body mass index (BMI), visceral (VAT), and subcutaneous abdominal (SAAT) adipose tissue measured via dual x-ray absorptiometry. These data were analyzed using correlations and stepwise linear regressions. RESULTS: Analyses for CRF and BMI included significant demographics in Step 1. For CRF, Step 2 was significant, 0.03, F(4, 148) 13.05, indicating the earlier a child acquired the skills to roll over, sit, stand, and walk independently, the higher their CRF during preadolescence (pr = -0.26, t(147) = -3.19, p = 0.002, β = -0.24). For VAT, Step 2 was significant, 0.03, F(3, 158) 13.05, indicating the earlier a child acquired the skill to roll over and walk independently, the lower their VAT during preadolescents (pr = 0.23, t(157) = 2.97, p = 0.003, β = 0.22). For SAAT, Step 2 was significant, 0.03, F(4, 115) 13.05, indicating the earlier rolling over was acquired, the lower their SAAT during preadolescents (pr = 0.23, t(114) = 2.50, p = 0.01, β = 0.21). For BMI, Step 2 was significant, 0.03, F(5, 113) 13.05, indicating the earlier rolling over was acquired, the lower their BMI during preadolescence (pr = 0.22, t(112) = 2.37, p = 0.02, β = 0.20). CONCLUSION: These findings are among the first to assess the relation of early motor milestones with CRF and BC in preadolescent children, and have potential clinical implications, with early motor development serving as a marker for healthy BC and CRF. Findings suggest that the age a child first rolls over and walks is more predictive of preadolescent CRF and BC compared to other MDMs that predicted only a single childhood health outcome, indicating the complexity of the relationship between MDM and preadolescent health.