Investigation of relationship between neurological status, developmental parameters and physical fitness in preschool children

The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between neurological status, developmental parameters and physical fitness in preschool children. The study was carried out in 212 healthy children aged 4-6 years in schools of Muş Province depending Ministry of National Education. To assess the neurological status of children, Touwen Examination was used, to assess the developmental parameters of children, Denver Developmental Screening Test (DGTT) II was used, to assess the physical fitness of children, PREFIT test battery was used, and to assess the cognitive levels of children, a questionnaire form asked to family was used. There was a statistically significant relationship between neurological status and developmental parameters of children (r = -0,398, p <0,001), between neurological status and physical fitness of children (r = -0,221, p <0,01), between physical fitness and developmental parameters of children (r = -0,231, p <0,01). In addition to these findings, when the children were compared with gestational age, the presence of Minor Neurological Dysfunction (MND), cognitive level and body mass index, statistically significant differences were found (p <0,05). As a result, the developmental parameters, physical fitness and neurological status of the preschool children are related. Thus, in planning physiotherapy and rehabilitation programs, these children should be considered as a whole in order to prevent bad prognosis and provide better treatment results. In addition, since gestational age, presence of MND, cognitive level and body mass index affect physical fitness in preschool, these conditions should be considered during the activity, exercise or physical fitness programs applied to this age range.