Motor Ability and Mental Health of Young Children: A Longitudinal Study

This study used a longitudinal method to investigate relations between motor abilities and mental health in young children. We analyzed data of 38 Japanese children who were 3–6 years old. administered the Movement Assessment Battery for Children–Second edition (MABC2) Strength Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) at 3–4 5–6 age: MABC2 was evaluate each child’s ability; SDQ assess degree their difficulties prosocial behavior. Logistic regression results indicated that score can predict risk skill impairments (adjusted odds ratio 0.354). Motor ability assessed years, however, did not problems years. Analyses quantitative changes confirmed these results. Mental occurred related only individual differences The total later Boys tended obtain lower Girls higher Results this suggest impairment SDQ-measured are independent characteristics aged