Relationships Between Fundamental Motor Skills and Executive Functions in Children from Different Perceived Motor Competence Clusters.

Abstract

Early childhood is characterized as a period of extensive development. It is during this period that children begin to develop Fundamental Motor Skills, Executive Functions, and the perception of motor competence.Background/ObjectivesThe aim of this research is to identify the relationship between Fundamental Motor Skills and Executive Functions in children from different clusters of Motor Competence Perception.MethodsThis study is a quasi-experimental, quantitative research with a cross-sectional design of descriptive and associative nature. 190 children aged 3 to 5 years from the city of Juazeiro do Norte participated, who met the inclusion criteria.ResultsThe results showed reasonably well-defined clusters, where Motor Competence Perception appeared in distinct forms between the groups. The network topology showed differences between the 3 clusters: cluster 1 had median connections, cluster 2 was the most disconnected and had the variable 'number' that did not connect to any other, and cluster 3 had the most connections. The highest values of expected influence were inhibitory control in clusters 1 and 2, and locomotion in cluster 3. This means that these variables have a greater tendency to modify the network, so a targeted intervention is important to improve the development of skills in these children.ConclusionsThese analyses are necessary because they provide more information about child development that can be useful for physical education professionals during classes, to intervene effectively in children's needs.