Working memory capacity for movements in children and adolescents

Working memory for movements is responsible for the temporary storage and manipulation of limb movements. This study explored and compared the working memory capacity for movements (WMCM) in early childhood (5-6 years), childhood (8-9 years), preadolescence (10-12 years), adolescence (14-17 years), and early adulthood (20-22 years) groups. The results showed that the groups with the greatest WMCM in descending order were adolescence, preadolescence, childhood, and early childhood; all differences were statistically significant. No significant differences in WMCM were observed between adolescence and early adulthood. Therefore, WMCM increased continuously from early childhood to adolescence, with childhood and preadolescence being periods of rapid growth and adolescence being the plateau period when early adult levels are reached. These findings help to depict the developmental trajectory of WMCM and provide theoretical and practical guidance for movement-related research. What is the public health significance of this article?This study suggests that elementary school students may be an appropriate intervention period for motor skills and movement-related cognitive abilities. The intensity of the intervention may need to be differentiated between the lower and upper elementary grades.

Automated summary

This study compared the working memory capacity for movements in different age groups and found that it continuously increased from early childhood to adolescence, reaching early adult levels. These findings are important for understanding the developmental trajectory of working memory capacity for movements and providing guidance for movement-related research.