Papers by Arja Sääkslahti
Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines for 24-h physical activi... more Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) has developed guidelines for 24-h physical activity (PA), sedentary behaviour and sleep for young children. Lower socioeconomic status (SES) has been linked to a lower likelihood of meeting these guidelines. The outbreak of the novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) raised concerns about young children's opportunities to meet the guidelines. The study focused on the prevalence of meeting the WHO's 24-h guidelines on screen time (ST), PA and sleep among 2-6-year-old children, in association with family SES, before COVID-19 outbreak in 2019, and during the pandemic in 2020 and 2021 in Finland. Methods: Data were collected at three timepoints by an online survey through day-care centres. Meeting the WHO 24-h guidelines was defined for each behaviour, from a parent-reported seven-day recall of a typical day on weekdays and weekend days and adapted to the national context. Children were considered to meet the ST guideline if they had maximum of 60 min of ST, the PA guideline if they had minimum of 60 min of outdoor PA, and the sleep guidelines if they had minimum of 11/10/9 h (2/3-5/6 years) of good or very good quality sleep. Binary logistic regression models were used to examine the odds ratios of meeting the guidelines. Results: The prevalence of meeting the ST guideline was highest before the COVID-19 pandemic in 2019. The PA guideline was most met during the strict pandemic restrictions in 2020. Children from higher SES families were more likely to meet the ST and sleep duration guidelines either on weekdays or weekends. The PA guideline was met more on weekdays by children whose parents had lower education levels at all timepoints. In 2020, sleep quality guideline was less likely met by children with parents with the highest education levels. Conclusion: Higher SES may increase the odds of young children meeting the ST and sleep duration guidelines, but the results are more complex regarding PA and SES. The impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on ST, outdoor PA,
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports, May 25, 2023
Schools are key settings for the promotion of students' physical activity, fitness, and motor... more Schools are key settings for the promotion of students' physical activity, fitness, and motor competence. The purpose of our study was to investigate the efficacy of a 5‐month‐long intervention program that aimed to increase students' motor competence and health‐related fitness during school days. We conducted a quasi‐experimental study with 325 Finnish Grade 5 (Mage = 11.26, SD = 0.33) students from five schools. Two schools were allocated to the intervention group and three schools to the control group. The intervention consisted of three components: (a) weekly 20 min session during regular PE lessons, (b) weekly 20 min session during recess, and (c) daily 5‐minute‐long classroom activity breaks. All activities were designed to systematically develop different elements of motor competence and fitness. The following assessments were conducted at baseline and 5‐months: cardiorespiratory fitness levels were measured by 20‐meter shuttle run test, muscular fitness by curl‐up and push‐up tests, and motor competence by 5‐leaps and throwing–catching combination tests. We analyzed the data using a multi‐group latent change score modeling. Results showed that students in the intervention group developed significantly better in 20‐meter shuttle run test (β = 0.269, p = 0.000, 95% CI [0.141, 0.397]; +5.0 laps), push‐up (β = 0.442, p = 0.000, 95% CI [0.267, 0.617]; +6.5 repetitions), curl‐up (β = 0.353, p = 0.001, 95% CI [0.154, 0.552]; +7.8 repetitions), and throwing–catching combination tests (β = 0.195, p = 0.019, 95% CI [0.033, 0.356]; +1.1 repetitions) than students in the control group. The intervention program appeared to be feasible and effective in increasing students' cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular fitness, and object control skills. This indicates that guided school‐based physical activity programs can be influential in promoting physical fitness and motor competence among early adolescent students.
European Journal of Sport Science, Jul 4, 2022
International Journal of Early Childhood, May 7, 2022
The aim of this pilot study was to examine the immediate and long-term effects of an intervention... more The aim of this pilot study was to examine the immediate and long-term effects of an intervention program that aims to improve preschoolers' (N = 36, M = 4.49 years, SD = 0.35) early numeracy skills by combining the learning of numerical relational skills via story reading with fundamental motor skill practice. The intervention program was piloted with two study designs: a within-subject repeated-measures design with 18 children (study I), and a quasi-experimental study design with 18 children (study II). Children's early numeracy, symbolic magnitude processing, and fundamental motor skills were measured. Results demonstrated that children's early numeracy and especially numerical relational skills improved during the intervention, and the intervention had larger effects on children's early numeracy and numerical relational skills compared to the control period (study I) and control group (study II). Furthermore, the results from the delayed post-test demonstrated that the effects were maintained for 4.5-8 weeks after the intervention. These findings provide preliminary evidence that it is possible to support children's early numeracy skills with combined learning of numerical relational skills via story reading and fundamental motor skills despite the socioeconomic or language background, and narrow the gap between low-and average-performing children.
Scandinavian Journal of Medicine & Science in Sports
The study aims were to (1) identify perceived motor competence (PMC) and actual motor competence ... more The study aims were to (1) identify perceived motor competence (PMC) and actual motor competence (AMC) profiles in children at two time points (early and middle childhood) 3 years apart, (2) explore transitions between the profiles from T1 to T2, and (3) investigate how PMC‐AMC profiles at T1 differ in their mean values for AMC and PMC variables at T2. PMC was assessed by the pictorial scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence for young children (PMSC). At T1, AMC was measured with Test of Gross Motor Development–third version (TGMD‐3), and at T2, a shortened TGMD‐3 was used. To identify the PMC‐AMC profiles using latent profile analysis, the Mplus statistical package (version 8.7) was used. For aim 3, the Bolck‐Croon‐Hagenaars (BCH) method was used. There were 480 children (mean age 6.26 years, 51.9% boys) at T1, 647 children (mean age 8.76 years, 48.8% boys) at T2 (some children were too young to have the PMC assessment at T1), and 292 at both time points. For aim 1, three prof...
JYX
Environmental and social conditions at preschools are associated with children' s physical activi... more Environmental and social conditions at preschools are associated with children' s physical activity (PA). Also, the development of motor skills (MS) is associated with the amount of PA. This study aimed to determine if childcare centre facilities and environmental conditions are associated with children' s MS. The study participants were 1,136 children aged 2 to 7 years attending early childhood education (ECE) at randomly selected Finnish day-care centres (N = 37). The head of each centre completed a questionnaire on the each centre' s physical and social conditions. All children' s MS were measured with TGMD-3 test battery (Ulrich 2013) and 4-7-years old children with KTK test battery (Kiphard & Schilling 1974, 2007). Descriptive statistics describe the data. When examining the associations between MS and childcare center-related variables, hierarchical linear regression models were used. Results revealed variation in environmental and social condition between childcare centres: 32 % of centres did not have own gym, and size of the playground area varied substantially (226-11,000 m 2), as did access to forests (54 %). Physical education (PE) varied also: 54 % of centres had yearly plan for PE and the amount of organized PE in a week varied from 0.5-7 times/ week. Measured conditions were associated with children' s MS as follows: children' s age, gender, the amount of surfaces. The size of yard associated with manipulative skills and shape of yard with locomotor skills. Based on these results there is need to pay attention for environmental and social conditions. Otherwise, there may be difficulties for early educators to achieve the targets of supporting children' s overall learning prerequisites, stated by Act of Early education.
Psychology of Sport and Exercise
Children
An international group of experts have developed a pictorial tool to measure perceived water comp... more An international group of experts have developed a pictorial tool to measure perceived water competence for children aged from 5 to 8 years old: the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Water Competence (PSPWC). The aim of the present study was to verify the validity of this tool. In the first part of the study, 120 children were interviewed to investigate face validity of the PSPWC to ensure that all pictorial items were understandable. In the second part of the study, 13 scientific and/or pedagogical international experts were invited to assess the tool’s content validity via an online survey. Face validity results revealed that children were able to understand and sequence correctly the aquatic situations in 92% of the cases. The average Content Validity Index (CVI) of the PSPWC ranged from 0.88 to 0.95, showing acceptable content validity. Feedback from experts and children resulted in a major improvement of the “exit water” situation and minor improvements concerning some other items. ...
Learning Environments Research
As a result of educational reforms in many countries, including Finland, new or renovated compreh... more As a result of educational reforms in many countries, including Finland, new or renovated comprehensive schools have increasingly begun to incorporate open and flexible designs and principles. Multipurpose and adaptable open learning spaces can provide children with amplified opportunities to be physically active during general education. Classroom-based physical activity has been associated with better academic-related outcomes and students’ on-task behaviour, while overall physical activity has been associated with better health. In the present study, we investigated the effects of classroom type, gender and grade level on classroom-based physical activity, and the associations between systematically-observed teachers’ instructions about students’ movement and classroom-based physical activity. The participants consisted of 182 3rd and 5th grade students in one school with open learning space and two schools with conventional classrooms. Overall, classroom-based physical activity,...
Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 2021
Problem Statement: Parents of young children favor indoor activities for their children, because ... more Problem Statement: Parents of young children favor indoor activities for their children, because staying inside supports comfortable daily routines in the family timetable, safety issues and clothing. However, playing outdoors supports children's development, offering multiple challenges to overcome and the possibility to learn new skills. Approach: Based on Gibson's theory of affordances (1977), outdoors can be seen as an excellent learning environment for children to reach the zone of proximal development (Vygotsky, 1987). Purpose: This paper describes Finnish nature and four seasons as an environment to support children's motor development and inspire outdoor playing. The Skilled kids participants (N= 1136, 2-to 7-year-old children) were chosen by cluster randomization from childcare centers representing young children's motor competence in geographically different parts of Finland. Children's motor competence was measured with the Test of Gross Motor Development, TGMD-3 (Ulrich, 2019). Results: Young children living in countryside and in small cities had better motor competence and spent more time playing outdoors than children living in metropolitan area. This difference in the amount of outdoor play and the motor competence underlines the importance of outdoor facilities. The description of the Finnish outdoor environment, such as forest, water, snow and ice, reveals environmental factors that may attract and motivate children to challenge their motor abilities. Therefore, the environment can support physically active playing, increasing young children's overall physical activity and motor competence. Conclusions: Versatile environments stimulate children's motor development. Parents and teachers of young children should be encouraged to let their children play outdoors during all seasons in different weather conditions. Appropriate clothing guarantees free playing, daily timetables in day care should allow outdoor playing sessions, and outdoor play yards should have large area with different affordances for children's free use.
Brazilian Journal of Motor Behavior, 2021
Kasvu sekä sukupuolinen kypsyminen ja kehitys ovat keskeisiä käsitteitä kaikissa lapsia ja nuoria... more Kasvu sekä sukupuolinen kypsyminen ja kehitys ovat keskeisiä käsitteitä kaikissa lapsia ja nuoria käsittelevissä tutkimuksissa sekä lasten ja nuorten fyysisen aktiivisuuden seurannassa ja urheiluvalmennuksessa. Kasvun sekä sukupuolisen kypsymisen ja kehityksen seurauksena eri elinjärjestelmissä tapahtuu muutoksia, jotka vaikuttavat fyysisiin ominaisuuksiin ja niiden kehittymiseen fyysisen aktiivisuuden seurauksena (Armstrong ja van Mechelen 2017). Fyysinen aktiivisuus voi vaikuttaa myös kasvuun sekä sukupuoliseen kypsymiseen ja kehitykseen – joko negatiivisesti tai positiivisesti.nonPeerReviewe
Nordic Journal of Dance, 2011
Today, multiculturalism is increasing in the Nordic societies. It is also evidently reflected in ... more Today, multiculturalism is increasing in the Nordic societies. It is also evidently reflected in the arts, including dance. Simultaneously, understanding different dance cultures is becoming more important in the field of dance pedagogy. This article discusses the pedagogical conceptions of Finnish teachers of transnational dances and their experiences in teaching African dance, Oriental dance and flamenco. Through a process of a phenomenographic data analysis, the authors have identified three different ways to understand the nature of transnational dances: 1) Dance is art, 2) Dance is culture open to all people and simultaneously art and physical education, and 3) Dance is a part of well-being. These different views seem to be reflected in the teachers’ pedagogical conceptions that are the main focus of the data analysis. The article includes descriptions of the different pedagogical ways of thinking of the teachers. The present findings can be used to increase the awareness of te...
PloS one, 2015
Little is known of how to involve families in physical activity (PA) interventions for children. ... more Little is known of how to involve families in physical activity (PA) interventions for children. In this cluster randomized controlled trial, we recruited families with four-to seven-year-old children to participate in a year-long study where parents in the intervention group families (n = 46) received tailored counseling to increase children's PA. Structured PA was not served. Control group families (n = 45) did not receive any counseling. PA in all children (n = 91; mean age 6.16 ± 1.13 years at the baseline) was measured by accelerometers at the baseline and after three, six, nine and 12 months. Motor competence (MC) (n = 89) was measured at the baseline and after six and 12 months by a KTK (KörperkoordinationsTest für Kinder) and throwing and catching a ball (TCB) protocols. The effect of parental counseling on study outcomes was analyzed by a linear mixed-effects model fit by REML and by a Mann-Whitney U test in the case of the TCB. As season was hypothesized to affect counseling effect, an interaction of season on the study outcomes was examined. The results show significant decrease of MVPA in the intervention group when compared to the control group (p < .05). The TCB showed a nearly significant improvement at six months in the intervention group compared to the controls (p = .051), but not at 12 months. The intervention group had a steadier development of the KTK when the interaction of season was taken into account. In conclusion, more knowledge of family constructs associating with the effectiveness of counseling is needed for understanding how to enhance PA in children by parents. However, a hypothesis may be put forward that family-based counseling during an inactive season rather than an active season may provide a more lasting effect on the development of KTK in children.
DIGITAL HEALTH
The main purpose of the research was to describe the daily screen media habits and non-screen med... more The main purpose of the research was to describe the daily screen media habits and non-screen media habits like indoor and outdoor play, and sleep of preschool children aged 2 to 6 years from Singapore, South Korea, Japan, and Finland using a content-validated online questionnaire (SMALLQ®) and unsupervised cluster analysis. Unsupervised cluster analysis on 5809 parent-reported weekday and weekend screen and non-screen media habits of preschool children from the four countries resulted in seven emergent clusters. Cluster 2 ( n = 1288) or the Early-screen media, screen media-lite and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity-lite family made up 22.2% and Cluster 1 ( n = 261) or the High-all-round activity and screen media-late family made up 4.5%, respectively represented the largest and smallest clusters among the seven clusters that were emergent from the pooled dataset. Finland was best represented by Cluster 2 and Japan was best represented by Cluster 3 ( High-screen media-for-enter...
Uploads
Papers by Arja Sääkslahti