The Predictive Role of Working Memory on Fundamental Movement Skills in Preschool Children: A Stratified Regression-Based Analysis

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between working memory (WM) and fundamental movement skills (FMS) in preschool children and to examine the roles of age and gender in this context. A total of 131 preschool children were recruited, and their WM abilities and FMS levels were assessed using standardized WM tasks and the TGMD-3. The results revealed no significant gender differences in WM tasks and total FMS scores, with the exception of the backward digit span task. Weak to moderate significant positive correlations were found between total WM score and total locomotor skills score (r0.265) as well as total FMS score (r0.245). Furthermore, age significantly predicted the total score of object control skills (OCS), while the total WM score was a significant positive predictor of the total FMS score. These findings suggest an association between WM and FMS in preschoolers, with age being a significant influencing factor. The results have important implications for preschool educational practices and related intervention studies.