The correlation between motor proficiency and working memory of Thai school-aged children
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Abstract
Background: Motor proficiency encompasses both gross and fine motor skills while cognitive abilities include language, attention, memory, and executive functions that are gradually being developed in a period of life span during childhood. Currently, there is only indirect evidence linking motor proficiency and specific working memory performance.
Objectives: Purpose of this study was to determine the correlation between motor proficiency and working memory in Thai school-age children grades 1-4.
Materials and methods: One hundred and fifteen children were randomly recruited from a primary school in the Bangkok metropolitan area. Bruininks-Osteretsky Test of Motor Proficiency 2 Short Form (BOT-2 SF) was performed to test motor proficiency. The specific working memory ability was assessed by digit span forward and backward, and visuomotor construction.
Results: There was a significant correlation between motor proficiency and working memory in Thai school-age children grades 1-4 (r=0.51, p<0.001).
Conclusion: The current study indicated that motor proficiency and working memory were significantly correlated. Therefore, the link between school-aged children’s motor proficiency and working memory may provide clarity regarding the connection of these abilities in children to guide curriculum development or appropriate interventions in a school setting.
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.
Personal views expressed by the contributors in their articles are not necessarily those of the Journal of Associated Medical Sciences, Faculty of Associated Medical Sciences, Chiang Mai University.
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