Dissociated development of growth and skeletal robustness, and motor skills of preschool children

Background Lack of physical activity is associated with various healthrisks. Yet, instead of indulging their natural urge to move, the majorityof today’s preschool children tends to spend a substantial portionof the day in sedentary pursuit.Objective To investigate patterns of motor skills related to age, bodysize and strength, or to dexterity and movement coordination.Sample and Methods Eight anthropometric measurements and sevenmotor skill tests were performed in 144 boys and 120 girls aged2.6 to 4.5 years. Children were measured in Berlin (Germany) in2001/2002.Results Anthropometric variables and motor skills are multiply interrelated.Yet, there is an almost complete lack of progress in severalmotor skills between the age of 2.6 and 4.5 years. The indicatorsof dexterity, such as one-legged stance and backward balancing,show children of all age groups who performed very poorly. .Standing long jump and running speed as indicators of gross physicalstrength were moderately connected with height (r=0.48 andr=0.41, p<0.001).Conclusion Modern German preschool children show poor motorperformance. The general pattern of motor skills that are related todexterity and movement coordination and depend on practice andtraining, differ from those which depend on physical strength, suchas standing long jump and running. The need for cooperation andmutual promotion of motor development by parents, physicians,and teachers, and the opening up of natural spaces to give room tothe physiological urge to move for young children is evident.