%X The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether a Relative Age Effect (RAE) exists in
motor competence of preschool children. The hypothesis was that motor competence, assessed by the
Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 (MABC-2), would be higher in preschool children born
in the first quarter of the year compared to those who were born in the last quarter of the same year. A
total of 360 preschool children were evaluated of whom 208 (57.8%) were boys and 152 (42.8%) were
girls, with a mean age of 4.52 years old (± 0.50). The distribution of the participants was 172 children
aged 4 years old and 188 aged 5 years old. The data showed a main effect on the age factor in the
total score of aiming and catching (p < 0.001) and in the total test score (p < 0.001), in the quarter of
birth factor in all the dimensions studied (i.e., total score of manual dexterity (p < 0.001); total score
of aiming and catching (p = 0.001); total score of balance (p < 0.001); total test score (p < 0.001)) and in
the interaction between both factors (i.e., total score of manual dexterity (p = 0.005); total score of
aiming and catching (p = 0.002); total score of balance (p < 0.001); total test score (p < 0.001)). Age and
quarter of birth produce a RAE in 4 and 5-year-old preschool children’s motor competence.
%R doi:10.3390/children8020115
%L uneatlantico35
%P 115
%V 8
%D 2021
%T Relative Age Effect on Motor Competence in Children Aged 4–5 Years
%A Rubén Navarro-Patón
%A Marcos Mecías-Calvo
%A José Eugenio Rodríguez Fernández
%A Víctor Arufe-Giráldez
%K Manual dexterity; Aiming and catching; Balance; Movement Assessment Battery for children-2 (MABC-2); Childhood; Preschool children.
%J Children