Activity preferences of 9- to 10-year-old girls and the relationship between object control skills and physical activity levels: the NW-child study

Abstract

Early object control (OC) skills proficiency is reported to be related to long-term physical activity (PA). The percentage of participation in moderate- and high-intensity PAs and the relationship between PA levels and OC skills in 9- to 10-year-old girls in South Africa are described while considering ethnic differences in activity preferences. OC skills were assessed in 406 girls by means of the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 (TGMD-2), while the Children’s Leisure Activities Study Survey was used to assess PAs and patterns in 406 girls (89 white, 317 black) with a mean age of 9.86±0.42 years. The activity choices of white and black girls differed, where black girls spent a high percentage of their time (83.60%) doing household chores, walking, rope skipping and playing street soccer, while white girls engaged more in sport and non-organised activities. Significantly (p≤0.00; d=0.83, d=0.5) more white girls participated in moderate- and high-intensity activities. PA choices showed a small relationship with OC skills. Girls should receive more exposure to be more physically active. More emphasis should be placed on activities that can improve OC skills.

Keywords: Motor proficiency; Children; Socio-economic status; Ethnic preference