Dynamic Balance, but Not Precision Throw, Is Positively Associated with Academic Performance in Children

Rodrigo A. Lima, David F. Stodden, Karin A. Pfeiffer, Lisbeth R. Larsen, Mauro V. G. Barros, Anna Bugge and Lars B. Andersen
Additional contact information
Rodrigo A. Lima: Institute of Sport Science, University of Graz, Mozartgasse 14, 8010 Graz, Austria
David F. Stodden: Department of Physical Education & Athletic Training, University of South Carolina, Wheat Street, Suite 218, Columbia, SC 29208, USA
Karin A. Pfeiffer: Department of Kinesiology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI 48824, USA
Lisbeth R. Larsen: Social Education, Svendborg, Faculty of Education and social sciences, UCL University College, Niels Bohrs Allé 1, 5230 Odense M, Denmark
Mauro V. G. Barros: School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Campus Universitario HUOC-ESEF, Arnobio Marques 310, Santo Amaro, Recife PE 50.100-130, Brazil
Anna Bugge: Department of Midwifery, Physiotherapy, Occupational Therapy and Psychomotor Therapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University College Copenhagen, 2200 Copenhagen N, Denmark
Lars B. Andersen: Faculty of Education, Arts and Sport; Western Norway University of Applied Sciences, Campus Sogndal, 6861 Sogndal, Norway

IJERPH, 2020, vol. 17, issue 8, 1-10

Abstract: We analyzed the longitudinal association between dynamic balance and throwing skill with academic performance and whether waist circumference mediated these relationships. The current one-year longitudinal study followed 1020 first (mean age 7.87 ± 0.34 years) through fifth grade (mean age 11.87 ± 0.37 years) children, measured twice in 2010 and 2011. Dynamic balance and precision throw were measures of motor competence. Waist circumference was measured with a measuring tape at the umbilicus level. Academic performance was assessed by a combined score of standardized Danish language and math tests. Structural equation modeling was used for analysis. All coefficients are standardized. Balance was associated with academic performance when both sexes were combined (β = 0.126, 95% CI: 0.074 to 0.179), and waist circumference partially mediated the relationship (β = 0.021, 95% CI: 0.008 to 0.034). For boys, balance was associated with academic performance, but waist circumference did not mediate the association. For girls, balance presented direct, mediated (via waist circumference), and total associations with academic performance. Dynamic balance is an important gross motor function that was longitudinally related to academic performance, and waist circumference partially mediated the relationship. Precision throw was not found to be associated with academic performance in both sexes combined or when analyzed separately.

Keywords: academic success; adiposity; adolescents; mediation analysis; psychomotor performance (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2020
References: View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

Downloads: (external link)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/8/2790/pdf (application/pdf)
https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/17/8/2790/ (text/html)

Related works:
This item may be available elsewhere in EconPapers: Search for items with the same title.

Export reference: BibTeX RIS (EndNote, ProCite, RefMan) HTML/Text

Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:17:y:2020:i:8:p:2790-:d:347107

Access Statistics for this article

IJERPH is currently edited by Ms. Jenna Liu

More articles in IJERPH from MDPI
Bibliographic data for series maintained by MDPI Indexing Manager ().