Objective: The systematic review was used to evaluate the relationship between fundamental movement skills (FMS) and physical activity (PA) in preschoolers. Data sources: PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, CNKI, and Wanfang databases were searched for terms related to preschoolers' FMS and PA from the establishment to July, 2022. Results: 21…

The aim of this study is to compare the neurological status, developmental parameters and physical fitness of children who engage in regular physical activity in the preschool period versus those who do not. The study included 305 healthy children aged 4-6 years, consisting of 154 girls and 151 boys. In addition to evaluating the demographic…

The study aimed to enhance young children's knowledge of healthy eating, active play and environmental sustainability through play-based activities developed by nursery educators in Crete, Greece. Intervention group children received 4-6 weeks of curriculum activities, and their knowledge about healthy eating, active play and sustainability…

Intentional teaching practices of early childhood education and care (ECEC) educators have a profound influence on children's learning and health. The aim of this study was to assess the relationship between educator intentionality and pre-schoolers physical activity. Objectively measured physical activity (Actigraphs) was measured on 225…

This study examined whether associations exist between PA intensity, self-regulation, and indicators of school readiness, a proxy for academic achievement, in young children. Thirty young children completed assessments of physical activity, school readiness indicators, and self-regulation. Physical activity intensity was classified as light,…

Changes in physical activity levels and increases in screen time across different cohorts may affect young children's motor skill development (MSD). This study examined cohort differences in MSD in China. Four-year-olds living in Shanghai and in Guizhou province were assessed, in individual sessions, in 2013 (n = 230) and in 2017 (n = 446).…

The purpose of this research was to examine the extent to which preschools satisfy the natural need for physical activity of a young child in the summer holidays and during the school year. The measurement of physical activity of children and its level was performed with the use of Actigraph accelerometers and the Steps per Minute test. The sample…

The physical environment in Early Childhood Education and Care (ECEC) institutions provide children with possibilities for play. This study describes a physical environmental intervention aiming to increase the possibilities for functional play in the indoor environment, and its influence on children's well-being and physical activity. The…

Children with disabilities tend to participate in fewer physical activities than typically developing children. To promote participation in physical activities for children with disabilities, it is important to understand (a) parents' experiences and roles in supporting their children's physical activities and (b) factors that might influence…

New playground concepts--favouring natural play characteristics--emerge. The aim of our free play study is to explore the relation between newly established natural playgrounds and the widely spread contemporary ones in terms of physical activity levels. The playground features differ in vegetation, topography, size and play equipment. The…

Children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) who have problems such as inactivity and the lack of communication need interventions that enable them to participate in society just like their peers. The purpose of this study was to investigate 'I can have physical literacy' programme (ICPL) on physical literacy (PL) in children with ASD. This study…

Objectives: This paper explores the impact of physical education (PE) lessons, focusing on children aged 6-7 years, an underrepresented age in physical activity research. Methods: 10 children wore Actigraph accelerometers recording physical activity throughout the school day (9 am until 3.10 pm), for a year. Repeated measures ANOVA analysed: type…

Gross motor and physical activity opportunities in early childhood are important for promoting health and development. We conducted two studies with the following aims: (1) to describe the quality of gross motor/physical activity early learning environments in Washington (WA) state, USA and (2) to study the relationship between the quality of…

Physical activity during preschool age promotes sports learning and the acquisition of fundamental and complex movement skills. The aim of this study was to evaluate the impact of three different four-month physical and/or pre-sport activity programmes on preschool children's motor proficiency. Twenty-five girls, aged between four and six years,…

In the UK, nearly one-third of children aged 2-15 years are failing to engage in sufficient physical activity (PA). Associated interventions are historically rationalized from adult perspectives. This study aimed to empower children as participants in the research process and experts of their own experience in an endeavour to inform activity…