Abstract
In order to examine the effects of sports career and activity in mothers on pedometer readings and motor ability in children, 75 male and female children of 2-4 yrs old and their mothers participated in this study. Pedometer readings (PR) in daily life were recorded in children and their mothers. Furthermore the mothers answered a questionnaire on their sports career and activity etc., and the children participated in a motor skill test, which consisted of a tennis ball throw, a 20m run and a standing long jump. The PR was significantly greater (p<0.05) in the mothers with longer sports career (>6 yrs) than in those with shorter sports career (<2 yrs) in their student days. The PR was significantly greater (p<0.05) in the children of 2-3 yrs whose mothers answered "yes" than in those whose mothers answered "no" to "Are you an active person?". The PR was significantly greater (p<0.05) in the children of 2-3 yrs whose mothers answered "outside" than in those whose mothers answered "inside" to "Do you prefer to spend time outside or inside?". However similar results with respect to the PR were not observed in children of 4 yrs. Positive correlation was observed between mother's PR and children's PR (p<0.01) regardless of children's age. Performance in the 20m run and standing long jump in children correlated significantly with their PR (p<0.05), but not the tennis ball throw. These results suggest that sports career in the mother may affect her PR in daily life, the mother's activity and PR may reflect the child's PR, and the child's PR may affect his or her motor ability.
