The relationship between physical characteristics and motor abilities of children in adverse economic conditions: A descriptive-correlational study

Articles in Press

Document Type : Original Article/Open Access/ Released under (CC BY-NC 4.0) license

Authors

1 Department of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Yasuj University

2 Department of Sports Sciences, Faculty of Literature and Humanities, Yasuj University, Yasuj, Iran.

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between fundamental motor skills and body composition index in children aged 4 to 10 years with low economic status. The present study was a descriptive-correlational study. 180 boys aged 4 to 10 years were randomly selected from elementary and preschool schools in Yasuj city and participated in this study. Fundamental motor skills were measured using the Gross Motor Skills Test-Second Edition (TGMD-2) and body composition was assessed using Tania Body Composition Analysis. Body mass index was calculated using normative growth charts. Data were processed using multiple linear regression. The results of data analysis showed that bioelectrical impedance analysis explained 26.34% of the variance in locomotion skills and 2.9% in object control skills, respectively. In contrast, body mass index was able to explain only 9.1% of the variance related to locomotion and 2% of the variance related to object control. In total, bioelectrical impedance measurements accounted for 24.6% of the variance in TGMD-2 scores and BMI accounted for 8.6%. Regression analyses showed that only fat-free mass significantly predicted mobility skills and total score in TGMD-2. Meanwhile, body mass index was also a significant predictor in both models (mobility and total) (P<0.001). Accordingly, it can be concluded that different components of body composition, especially fat-free mass and fat mass, are associated with different dimensions of fundamental motor skills in children.

Keywords

Main Subjects

Mind, Movement, and Behavior

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 22 April 2026

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History

  • Receive Date: 03 August 2025
  • Revise Date: 13 February 2026
  • Accept Date: 22 April 2026

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