Cognitive development and non-aerobic physical fitness in preschoolers: a longitudinal study

Kreuger de Aguiar, Daniel; Tymms, Peter B.; Campelo Koslinski, Mariane; Gil Soares de Araújo, Claudio; Lisboa Bartholo, Tiago

Abstract

Introduction: Early childhood is the most critical period of healthy motor and cognitive development in human life and increased physical activity may provide health benefits across childhood and adolescence. Objective: The aim of this study was to quantify the relationship between non-aerobic physical fitness and cognitive development in preschool children. Methods: Participants included children from a longitudinal study in the city of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil (N=1380, first year; N=1320, second year). Non-aerobic physical fitness was assessed with the Sitting-Rising Test (SRT) and cognitive development with the Performance Indicators for Primary Schools (PIPS). Results: non-aerobic physical fitness and cognitive development (0.25 for language and 0.17 mathematics, p<0.05) were positively correlated. The hierarchical linear regression models revealed that baseline measurements of non-aerobic physical fitness presented a small but significant association with prospective mathematic performance but not language after controlling for confounder variables (ES=0.16 for mathematics first year; ES=0.11 for mathematics second year). Conclusions: These results suggest an association between non-aerobic physical fitness and children's cognitive development in early school years.

Citation

Kreuger de Aguiar, D., Tymms, P. B., Campelo Koslinski, M., Gil Soares de Araújo, C., & Lisboa Bartholo, T. (2021). Cognitive development and non-aerobic physical fitness in preschoolers: a longitudinal study. Lecturas educación física y deportes (Buenos Aires), 26(281), 21-42. https://doi.org/10.46642/efd.v26i281.2860

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: Aug 4, 2021
• Online Publication Date: Oct 10, 2021
• Publication Date: 2021
• Deposit Date: Aug 11, 2021
• Publicly Available Date: Jan 8, 2022
• Journal: Lecturas: Educacion Fisica y Deportes
• Electronic ISSN: 1514-3465
• Publisher: EFDeportes
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 281
• Pages: 21-42
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.46642/efd.v26i281.2860
• Public URL: https://durham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1244164