Mediation of executive functions in the relationship between motor skills and psychosocial health in preschool children

作者：Sen Li, Yang Song, Qingwen Zhang, Zhen Wang · 发表于：Journal of Exercise Science & Fitness · 年份：2025 · DOI：10.1016/j.jesf.2025.04.002 · 被引用次数：5 · 研究领域：Children's Physical and Motor Development、Infant Development and Preterm Care、Cerebral Palsy and Movement Disorders

Purpose: Early motor skills develop alongside executive functions and psychosocial health. However, the interaction between these elements in early childhood is not well-studied. This study aimed to examine whether executive functions mediate the relationship between motor skills and psychosocial health. Methods: A total of 452 children (mean age = 6.14 ± 0.29 years, 48.9 % female) were included in this cross-sectional study. The Movement Assessment Battery for Children-Second Edition (MABC-2) was used to assess motor skills. Executive functions were measured using the Go/No-Go Test, Dimensional Change Card Sort Test, and List Sorting Working Memory Test from the Early Years Toolbox (ages 3-7). Social skills and problem behaviors were assessed using the preschool version of the Social Skills Improvement System Rating Scale (SSIS-RS). Structural equation modeling (SEM) with maximum likelihood estimation was employed to examine the mediating role of executive functions. Results: Gross motor skills were positively associated with inhibition (β = 0.41, p < 0.01), shifting (β = 0.20, p < 0.01), working memory (β = 0.30, p < 0.01), social skills (β = 0.50, p < 0.05), and negatively associated with problem behaviors (β = -0.23, p < 0.05). Inhibition (β = 0.107, p < 0.001) and shifting (β = -0.018, p < 0.05) mediated the relationship between gross motor skills and social skills. Additionally, inhibition (β = -0.086, p < 0.001) and shifting (β = 0.019, p < 0.05) mediated the relations...