The level of competency in object control skills (OCSs) during early childhood is considered to be a possible determinant of the successful generalization of these skills during later childhood. This study aimed to determine if an association exists between competency in object control skills during early childhood (6–9 years) and the application of these skills during later childhood (12 years). The NW-CHILD longitudinal study (2010–2016), included a baseline and two time-point follow-up measures in grades 1, 4, and 7 of South African children. A total of 374 participants (boys = 178, 47.59% and girls = 196, 52.41%) completed testing at all three time-points and were analyzed. The Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition, and the Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment were used to determine associations between object control skill competency during early and later childhood by using descriptive statistics, Spearman rank order correlations, and stepwise regression analysis. The level of object control skill competency at 6 and 9 years, significantly influences the application of these skills at 12 years. A high overall and significant contribution of OCS (4.6%, p < 0.01) to the variance in the skills and time scores at 12 years; p < 0.05 were found. Competence in object control skills at an early age can provide a baseline from where opportunities for progression or transfer of skills can result in more advanced skillful executions which consequently can be considered to be a cornerstone of improved future physical activity and healthier lifestyles.

Background: Childhood is an important transitional period for the development of healthy physical activity (PA) behaviours, so it is important to understand its impact on a healthy lifestyle. Aim: This study aimed to determine the influences of sex, socioeconomic status (SES) and body composition (BC) on the relationships between PA, motor skills, motor- and health-related physical fitness in 5–8-year-olds. Setting: Participants were a subsample consisting of 299 children (150 boys, 149 girls, mean age 6.83 ± 0.96 years) from the Exercise, Arterial Modulation and Nutrition in Youth South Africa study (ExAMIN Youth SA). Methods: Anthropometric measures, health-related physical fitness (HRPF), motor-related physical fitness (MRPF), objectively measured PA and demographic information were determined. Results: Only 66% achieved the recommended 60 min of daily moderate vigorous physical activity (MVPA) with 19% classified as having unhealthy body composition (11% overweight, 8% obese). Fat-free mass and SES revealed small-to-moderate influences on the relationship between MVPA, standing broad jump (SBJ; r = 0.32), predicted VO2max (r = 0.28) and beep levels (r = 0.22). For MRPF, the quality of running (r = 0.12) and balancing were associated with MVPA. Adjusting for sex, BC and SES in the relationship between PA with HRPF and MRPF, reductions in most correlations were observed. Conclusion: Moderate vigorous physical activity levels were positively associated with HRPF, MRPF and some motor skills in 5–8-year-olds. Socioeconomic status (lower parental income, employment and education negatively influenced the association between MVPA and fitness [beeps, SBJ, O2max]). Contribution: This study provides knowledge with regard to the use of accelerometer for baseline data for PA, MRPF, HRPF as well as motor skills in South African children.

Understanding the relationships between motor proficiency (MP) and physical fitness (PF) is important for the future health of children, although longitudinal findings of this nature are limited. This study explored the association between MP and PF during earlier childhood (6 and 9 years old) and later childhood (12 years old) in boys and girls. A stratified and randomized research design including a baseline and two follow-up time-point measures (2010, 2013, and 2016) were used. Primary school children (N = 374, boys = 178; girls = 196) were tested with the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor-Proficiency-2, Short Form, and the Test of Gross Motor Development- 2, at ages 6 and 9 years, and with the Progressive Aerobic Cardiovascular Endurance Run test at age 12. Spearman Rank Order Correlations and stepwise regression analyses were used to analyze the data. Although of a low magnitude, proof of a dynamic longitudinal, but a stable relationship between MP and PF were found and with different gender-specific relationships in this pathway of association. A small but significant percentage of variation in PF at 12 years could be explained by overall motor competence (MC) and object control skills (OCS) at the ages of 6 and 9 years. Among girls, the association with PF at 12 years was influenced by both OCS, and MC, although only MC contributed to the variation found in boys. Socio-economic status made an insignificant contribution at 6 years to later PF in boys, but not in girls. MC, including OCS during early and middle childhood can be considered as possible triggers of physical activity which again, can increase PF during later childhood. Obtaining early competence in these developmental areas is therefore important to promote positive and sustainable trajectories of health with long-term health outcomes.

Background: Malnutrition, encompassing underweight (UW) and overweight or obesity (OW/OB), is a global health challenge that significantly impacts children’s physical fitness and motor development. Purpose: As limited research exists on these relationships in young children, this study investigated differences in health-related physical fitness (HRPF), motor-related physical fitness (MRPF) and motor skills (MS) in UW and OW/OB children and associations between these fitness characteristics and body composition parameters. Research Design: A cross-sectional study design was used. Sample: 298 children (150 boys, 148 girls; mean age 6.84 ± 0.96 years) was drawn from the ExAMIN Youth SA and the BC-IT studies in the North-West Province of South Africa. Data Collection and Analysis: Measurements included anthropometric measures, body composition assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis, and evaluations of HRPF, MRPF, and MS). Data were analysed using SPSS (v. 26.0). Results: In the group, 26% were underweight, 11.1% overweight, and 8% obese. OW/OB children had poorer physical and motor fitness ( p < .05) and motor skills ( p > .05) than normal-weight (NW) peers, while underweight children significantly outperformed both OW and OB and normal-weight children. All body composition parameters were largely and negatively associated with strength, aerobic capacity (r > 0.5), speed, agility and balance in obese children. Fat-free mass, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference revealed positive, more minor and inconsistent associations (r > 0.2) in NW and UW children. Waist circumference (WC) and FFM correlated positively with balance and catching in UW and NW children, with negative correlations between balance and BMI and WC in overweight and obese groups. Conclusions: These different degrees of associations with physical and motor fitness and motor skills in under- and overweight children are important when designing early interventions to prevent childhood obesity.

Background: Physical activity (PA), physical fitness (PF), and motor skills (MS) play crucial roles in overall health and well-being, particularly in early childhood, when habits that affect future health are formed. Methods: This study, involving 299 children (150 boys, 149 girls, mean age 6.9 ± 0.96 years), explored the variance explained by external factors such as socioeconomic status (SES), body composition (BC), sex, and geographical location on motor-related physical fitness (MRPF) and health-related physical fitness (HRPF) in children. Using a variety of assessments, including demographics, anthropometric data, BIA, ActiGraphs, the 20 m shuttle run, 10 and 20 m speed tests, and test items from the Körperkoordinations test für Kinder (KTK) and the TGMD-2, a multiple stepwise regression analysis using SPSS (v 28.0) identified the associated factors. Results: The variables tested show modest explained variance for HRPF, MRPF, and MS, with the largest cumulative explained variance of 26.4%. The explained variances for MRPF and MS were lower (medium to small) than the significant, medium-to-large, explained variances for HRPF. Body fat percentage (BF%), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA), parental education and income, and BMI emerged as substantial contributors to HRPF, explaining 12.1% to 26.4% of the variance. Sex, BF%, and quintile status were the most influential associated factors for MRPF, and for MS, BMI and sex emerged as the strongest contributors. Conclusions: These findings underscore the importance of holistic approaches that consider individual factors, such as MVPA, body composition (BC), PA levels, sex, and broader social and economic contexts, to promote children’s well-being. The study emphasises the need for comprehensive strategies to address the multifaceted associations with children’s physical development.