2025 Volume 15 Issue 1 Pages 1-7
Motor development is suggested to influence cognitive development during childhood; however, the contributions of specific motor functions remain unclear. This study aimed to examine the relationship between distinct motor function components and cognitive development in elementary school children. A total of 60 children participated. Cognitive development was assessed using the Digit Span Test (DST), while motor development was evaluated through standing long jump (power, coordination), side steps (agility), grip strength (strength), one-legged stance with eyes open (balance), and sit-ups (endurance). Ordinal logistic regression analysis was conducted, with DST scores as the dependent variable and motor function indices as explanatory variables, controlling for sex, age, and Rohrer index. The results indicated that standing long jump distance was significantly associated with both forward and backward DST scores (p＜0.05), while sit-up performance was significantly associated only with the forward DST score (p＜0.01). Other motor function indices showed no significant associations with DST performance. These findings suggest that whole-body coordination and muscular endurance may contribute to cognitive development, particularly working memory and attention, in childhood.
