Children’s motor competence is more strongly associated with cognition than fitness and obesity

What is it about?

Children with poor motor competence (ability to move smoothly and purposfully), low aerobic fitness, or obesity may have poorer cognitive functions than other children, but few studies have investigated their independent and combined associations with cognition. We showed that children with better motor competence also had higher cognitive performance regardles of fitness level and obesity. We also showed that especially boys with poor motor competence along with underweight or obesity had the lowest cognitive scores.

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Why is it important?

Cognitive functions predict academic achievement and wellbeing of children. Poor Motor competence may be an indicator of poorer cognitive functiins especially in boys with underwighy or obesity. These findings may suggest that physical activity that improve motor competence may also improve cognitive functions during early and middle childhood.