Importance, unique aspects and guidelines, and building blocks of early childhood physical activity from a socioecological perspective

Abstract

Although the benefits of physical activity are established across all age groups, researchers have recently noted that there is uncertainty as to which correlates and determinants of physical activity contribute to well-informed interventions and policies, particularly for the time frame of early childhood. The following narrative review highlights salient factors related to physical activity during early childhood, particularly in the United States, with respect to a socioecological framework. Discussion of factors at the individual (demographic, genetic), interpersonal (family support and perceptions of competence), organizational (e.g., preschool attended, preschool quality, teacher characteristics), community (availability, use, and perceptions of play spaces), and policy levels is included. While researchers often work within a public health framework that focuses on moderate-to-vigorous physical activity, or total (light-to-vigorous) physical activity, this may not fully align with how young children move. The importance of structured and unstructured play, risky play, and nature-based play are highlighted. Implications for basic and applied scientists, clinicians, and practitioners are addressed. Suggestions for future work include consideration of the context of physical activity, associations with other health behaviors, and further examination of the interpersonal and community level factors.

Keywords

Preschool / Motor competenceCorrelates / Surveillance / Environment

CRediT authorship contribution statement

Karin Allor Pfeiffer: Writing - review & editing, Writing - original draft, Methodology, Investigation, Conceptualization. Kimberly A. Cle- venger: Writing - review & editing, Writing - original draft, Methodol- ogy, Investigation, Conceptualization.

Declaration of competing interest

Karin Allor Pfeiffer is an Editorial Board Member for Sports Medicine and Health Science and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. Otherwise, the authors have no conflicts of interest to declare.

Acknowledgement

The content in this manuscript was delivered during the Joseph B. Wolffe Memorial Lecture at the 2022 annual meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). The authors thank ACSM members and staff for their support. Additionally, the authors thank Drs. Dawn Coe, Shannon Siegel, and the other MSU baby ducks.

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