Zan Gao, Ph.D., associate professor in the School of Kinesiology and director of the Physical Activity Epidemiology Laboratory, recently served as the lead guest editor for a special issue in the March 2019 Journal of Sport and Health Science.

The guest editorial, “Children’s Motor Skills Competence, Physical Activity, Fitness, and Health Promotion” aims to examine the effectiveness of participating in regular physical activity in the prevention of, and decrease in, childhood obesity and chronic diseases, thereby contributing to the prevention of chronic diseases later in adulthood. In addition, it investigates motor skills competence and physical activity in childhood through experimental and observational research.

Based on database findings from six separate studies, this issue discusses the following topics:

1. The effectiveness of various physical activity programs on preschool children’s health-related outcomes, motor skills competence, and perceived competence
2. Insight concerning the correlates and determinants of motor skills competence, physical activity, and sedentary behaviors in children
3. The current status of motor skills competence and fitness in children across various countries
4. Directions for future research and practice to improve motor skills competence and physical activity in childhood