THE IMPACT OF MOTOR COORDINATION ON COGNITIVE DEVELOPMENT IN PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN

Abstract

Enhancing both physical and cognitive well-being supports children’s learning, focus, and emotional balance. Coordinative capacities, skills involving balance, rhythm, spatial orientation, and reaction–represent essential components of motricity that influence attention, memory, and executive functions. Understanding the connection between movement and cognitive processes allows physical education teachers to design learning environments that foster balanced development and academic success.Our study conducted a systematic review examining the relationship between coordination skills and cognitive abilities in children aged 6–12, evaluating the effectiveness of existing research on this topic.
Methodology: A systematic literature review was conducted, following PRISMA guidelines, to analyze studies published between 2015 and 2025. Searches were performed in PubMed, ProQuest, Elsevier, Frontiers, and Google Scholar. Twenty peer-reviewed studies on children aged 6–12 were included, examining the effects of coordinative activities on cognitive outcomes. Findings: Evidence shows that programs integrating coordinative exercises with perceptual, attentional, and creative tasks lead to measurable improvements in attention, working memory, and inhibitory control. Interventions combining movement with active learning also enhance children’s motivation and participation in learning activities.
Conclusion: Incorporating coordinative activities into primary school physical education represents an effective and accessible strategy to promote attention, executive functioning, and overall cognitive development in children.