The relationship between motor competence and executive function as influenced by age, sex, and family socio-economic status

IntroductionMotor Competence (MC) plays a fundamental role in physical, cognitive, and social development, while executive function (EF) is a key factor influencing MC. The primary objective of this study was to compare MC across three age groups (children, adolescents, and young adults), sex, and s...

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Main Authors: Behrouz Ghorbanzadeh, Behzad Mohammadi Orangi, Tolga Sahin
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-02-01
Series:Frontiers in Psychology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1544168/full
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author Behrouz Ghorbanzadeh
Behzad Mohammadi Orangi
Tolga Sahin
author_facet Behrouz Ghorbanzadeh
Behzad Mohammadi Orangi
Tolga Sahin
author_sort Behrouz Ghorbanzadeh
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionMotor Competence (MC) plays a fundamental role in physical, cognitive, and social development, while executive function (EF) is a key factor influencing MC. The primary objective of this study was to compare MC across three age groups (children, adolescents, and young adults), sex, and socio-economic status (SES). The main aim was to investigate the relationship between MC and EF and to determine whether age, sex, and SES could modify this relationship.MethodsThis descriptive-correlational study evaluated 475 participants from three age groups (8–11, 12–15, and 18–21 years). MC was measured using the BOT-2 test, and EF was assessed with the Stroop test. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression analysis.ResultsFindings revealed that MC was higher in children compared to adolescents and young adults, and higher SES was associated with better MC, whereas sex had no significant effect on MC. Additionally, a strong positive relationship (44%) was identified between EF and MC, with this relationship being moderated by age, sex, and SES.DiscussionThe results indicated that MC and EF are influenced by the interaction of individual (age and sex) and environmental (SES) constraints. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating these factors into educational and sports planning for more holistic development.
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spelling doaj-art-55a21a671e8a4de0a09a14dff1a836da2025-08-20T03:04:39ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Psychology1664-10782025-02-011610.3389/fpsyg.2025.15441681544168The relationship between motor competence and executive function as influenced by age, sex, and family socio-economic statusBehrouz Ghorbanzadeh0Behzad Mohammadi Orangi1Tolga Sahin2Department of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Education and Psychology, Azarbaijan Shahid Madani University, Tabriz, IranDepartment of Sport Science, School of Humanities, Damghan University, Damghan, IranDokuz Eylul University, Necat Hepkon Sports Sciences, Izmir, TürkiyeIntroductionMotor Competence (MC) plays a fundamental role in physical, cognitive, and social development, while executive function (EF) is a key factor influencing MC. The primary objective of this study was to compare MC across three age groups (children, adolescents, and young adults), sex, and socio-economic status (SES). The main aim was to investigate the relationship between MC and EF and to determine whether age, sex, and SES could modify this relationship.MethodsThis descriptive-correlational study evaluated 475 participants from three age groups (8–11, 12–15, and 18–21 years). MC was measured using the BOT-2 test, and EF was assessed with the Stroop test. Data were analyzed using independent t-tests, one-way ANOVA, and linear regression analysis.ResultsFindings revealed that MC was higher in children compared to adolescents and young adults, and higher SES was associated with better MC, whereas sex had no significant effect on MC. Additionally, a strong positive relationship (44%) was identified between EF and MC, with this relationship being moderated by age, sex, and SES.DiscussionThe results indicated that MC and EF are influenced by the interaction of individual (age and sex) and environmental (SES) constraints. These findings underscore the importance of incorporating these factors into educational and sports planning for more holistic development.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1544168/fullmotor competenceexecutive functionsocio-economic statusagesex
spellingShingle Behrouz Ghorbanzadeh
Behzad Mohammadi Orangi
Tolga Sahin
The relationship between motor competence and executive function as influenced by age, sex, and family socio-economic status
Frontiers in Psychology
motor competence
executive function
socio-economic status
age
sex
title The relationship between motor competence and executive function as influenced by age, sex, and family socio-economic status
title_full The relationship between motor competence and executive function as influenced by age, sex, and family socio-economic status
title_fullStr The relationship between motor competence and executive function as influenced by age, sex, and family socio-economic status
title_full_unstemmed The relationship between motor competence and executive function as influenced by age, sex, and family socio-economic status
title_short The relationship between motor competence and executive function as influenced by age, sex, and family socio-economic status
title_sort relationship between motor competence and executive function as influenced by age sex and family socio economic status
topic motor competence
executive function
socio-economic status
age
sex
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyg.2025.1544168/full
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