The Goldilocks day for preschoolers' health outcomes: A compositional data analysis of 24-H movement behaviors on weekdays and weekends

IF 3.7 2区医学 Q2 SPORT SCIENCES

Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness Pub Date : 2026-01-01 Epub Date: 2025-11-15 DOI:10.1016/j.jesf.2025.11.004

Xinyu Wang, Xu Zhang, Jane Jie Yu, Weizhen Gao, Miaomiao Wan, Xu Wen

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引用次数: 0

Abstract

Objective

Preschool children's activity patterns differ between weekdays and weekends. Weekdays are constrained by structured educational activities and parental commitments, which limit flexibility, while weekends provide opportunities for extra sleep (SLP), physical activity (PA), and reduced sedentary behavior (SB). This study aims to estimate optimal activity durations for both weekdays and weekends, based on the development of executive function (EF), fundamental movement skills (FMS), and physical fitness (PF) in preschool children.

Methods

A total of 289 preschool children aged 3–6 years from four kindergartens in Zhejiang Province participated. PA and SLP were objectively measured using accelerometers and the Children's Sleep Quality Questionnaire. EF, which includes working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility, was measured using the Early Years Toolbox (EYT). FMS were assessed using the test of gross motor development-3rd edition (TGMD-3), and PF was evaluated according to the National Physical Fitness Measurement Manual (Preschool Children Section). Compositional data regression models were applied to examine the relationship between 24-h movement behaviors and health outcomes on weekdays and weekends. Optimal time-use compositions for each outcome were estimated, and 3D quaternary plots were generated to define the Goldilocks Day at the center of the overlapping regions.

Results

24-h movement behaviors were significantly correlated with EF (weekdays: F = 5.4, p < 0.01; weekends: F = 5.7, p < 0.001), FMS (weekdays: F = 2.3, p < 0.05; weekends: F = 2.5, p < 0.05), and PF (weekdays: F = 4.6, p < 0.01; weekends: F = 5.3, p < 0.01). Differences in optimal time-use between weekdays and weekends were observed. For weekdays, the optimal daily durations were: moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) 106 (70–140) min, light physical activity (LPA) 40 (30–50) min, SB 703 (600–800) min, and SLP 591 (470–700) min. For weekends, the optimal daily durations were: MVPA 115 (80–150) min, LPA 45 (40–50) min, SB 668 (570–760) min, and SLP 611 (530–690) min.

Conclusion

This study provides recommendations for time allocation on weekdays and weekends to support the healthy development of preschool children.

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金发女孩日对学龄前儿童健康结果的影响：工作日和周末24小时运动行为的成分数据分析

目的探讨学龄前儿童平日与周末的活动模式差异。工作日受到有组织的教育活动和父母承诺的限制，这限制了灵活性，而周末则提供了额外睡眠（SLP）、体育活动（PA）和减少久坐行为（SB）的机会。本研究旨在根据学龄前儿童的执行功能（EF）、基本运动技能（FMS）和身体素质（PF）的发展，估计工作日和周末的最佳活动时间。方法对浙江省4所幼儿园3 ~ 6岁学龄前儿童289名进行调查。采用加速度计和儿童睡眠质量问卷客观测量PA和SLP。EF包括工作记忆、抑制控制和认知灵活性，使用早期工具箱（EYT）进行测量。FMS采用大肌肉运动发展量表第三版（TGMD-3）进行评定，PF采用《国家体质测试手册（学龄前儿童部分）》进行评定。采用组合数据回归模型检验工作日和周末24小时运动行为与健康结果的关系。估算每个结果的最佳时间利用组合，并生成3D第四纪图，以确定重叠区域中心的金发姑娘日。结果24小时运动行为与EF（平日：F = 5.4, p < 0.01；周末：F = 5.7, p < 0.001）、FMS（平日：F = 2.3, p < 0.05；周末：F = 2.5, p < 0.05）、PF（平日：F = 4.6, p < 0.01；周末：F = 5.3, p < 0.01）呈显著相关。观察到工作日和周末在最佳时间利用方面的差异。工作日的最佳运动时间为：中高强度运动（MVPA） 106 (70-140) min，轻度运动（LPA） 40 (30-50) min, SB 703 (600-800) min, SLP 591 (470-700) min。周末的最佳运动时间为：MVPA 115 (80-150) min, LPA 45 (40 - 50) min, SB 668 (570-760) min, SLP 611 (530-690) min。结论本研究为支持学龄前儿童工作日和周末的健康发展提供了建议。

本文章由计算机程序翻译，如有差异，请以英文原文为准。

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来源期刊

Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness 医学-运动科学

CiteScore

5.10

自引率

3.60%

发文量

审稿时长

31 days

期刊介绍： The Journal of Exercise Science and Fitness is the official peer-reviewed journal of The Society of Chinese Scholars on Exercise Physiology and Fitness (SCSEPF), the Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China (HKPFA), and the Hong Kong Association of Sports Medicine and Sports Science (HKASMSS). It is published twice a year, in June and December, by Elsevier. The Journal accepts original investigations, comprehensive reviews, case studies and short communications on current topics in exercise science, physical fitness and physical education.