The relationship between executive function and motor skills of school-aged children 7-10 years old
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Abstract
Background: Technology plays an important role in daily life for children. As a result, physical and cognitive development in Thai children has declined. Consequently, their learning ability is poor. However, the relationship between motor skills and executive function in elementary school-aged children is still unclear.
Objective: To evaluate the association between executive function and motor skills in children aged 7 - 10 years.
Methods: The participants comprised 84 boys and girls aged 7 - 10 years. All participants were assessed three domains of executive function, including working memory, inhibitory control, and cognitive flexibility using a digit span test, stroop color and word test, and trail making test, respectively. In addition, they were tested with a movement assessment battery for children - 2 (MABC-2) test, which consisted of manual dexterity, aiming and catching, and balance. All data were analyzed for statistical correlation by Spearman correlation coefficient, at p-value < 0.05.
Results: The cognitive flexibility was found statistically negative correlation with motor skills (rs = - 0.331, p = 0.002), manual dexterity (rs = - 0.267, p = 0.014) and balance (rs = - 0.280, p = 0.010). However, there was no statistical correlation between working memory, inhibitory control, and motor skills.
Conclusion: Cognitive flexibility is associated with manual dexterity and balance in school-aged children 7 to 10 years old.
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