Relationship between sensory processing and integration difficulty and exercise ability in preschool children

Abstract

Objectives: To investigate the relationship between sensory processing and integration difficulty（ SPID） and exercise ability in preschool children. Methods: The current study included 75 healthy children （52─82 months of age）. SPID was evaluated using the Japanese Sensory Inventory mini （JSI-mini）. Exercise ability was evaluated by measuring muscle endurance, flexibility, balance, and explosive power. We assessed body support time, forward trunk bending, single leg standing, and standing broad jump. Results: Body support time revealed weak correlation with vestibular sense （r＝－0.27）. Forward trunk bending revealed weak correlation with proprioception （r＝－0.29）. Single leg standing revealed weak correlation with visual sense（ r＝－0.27） and proprioception（ r＝ －0.25）. Standing broad jump showed moderate correlation with vestibular sense （r＝ －0.30） and proprioception （r＝－0.35）. Among the analyzed variables, multiple linear regression models suggested that age, gender, and vestibular sense were the most relevant predictors of standing broad jump ability. Conclusions: This study suggests that components of SPID are related to exercise ability in preschool children, most notably vestibular sense.