Author(s): KOMORI, Y., KITADA, K., NAGAMATSU, M., KOMORI, Y., HOSHINO, S., Institution: KYOTO KOKA WOMEN'S UNIVERSITY, Country: JAPAN, Abstract-ID: 1489

INTRODUCTION:
Several recent studies have highlighted a decline in the amount of time Japanese children spent playing outside and engaging in physical activity. According to the Japanese Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology (MEXT), there has been a decrease in various aspects of physical fitness among preschoolers, including running, jumping, throwing, flexibility, agility, and body balance [1].
Low visual acuity is a serious issue in many countries. A survey conducted by the MEXT revealed that the number of individuals with low visual acuity (less than 20/20) increases at about 6 years of age and continues to increase with age. Specifically, the survey found that 26.7% of Japanese preschoolers have low visual acuity.
While some reports have already indicated a correlation between visual function and physical fitness in children, only a limited number of studies have been conducted on preschool children, who undergo significant development in their nervous systems.
This study aimed to examine the relationship between binocular visual function, physical fitness, and outdoor and indoor play among kindergarten students.

METHODS:
Twenty-two children attending kindergarten in Usa-city, Japan were recruited for this study. The visual function indicators included static visual acuity and depth perception. Physical fitness was measured using the MKS motor ability development tests [2] to calculate the overall score. The amount of physical activity in a 1-week period was calculated using the International physical activity (PA) questionnaire short version. Participants also completed a self-administered questionnaire to identify their favorite outdoor and indoor activities. Additionally, the participants were divided into two groups based on their preferred activity type: outdoor activity (OA) and indoor activity (IA).
RESULTS:
There was a weak correlation observed between the scores of physical performance tests and the number of favorite types of outdoor activity (r = 0.35, p = 0.10). The most preferred outdoor activity among participants was play equipment such as slides and swings, followed by tag, hide and seek, and playing with balls. Comparatively, The OA group showed higher scores on physical performance tests, with scores of 20.9 ± 2.2 points and 13.6 ± 3.2 points in the OA and IA groups, respectively (p < 0.05). Moreover, The OA group demonstrated higher scores in depth perception, with measurements of 13.7 ± 5.0 cm and 34.2 ± 27.3 cm in the OA and IA groups, respectively (p < 0.001). There was no difference in weekly PA between the two groups.
CONCLUSION:
These findings highlight a correlation between depth perception, physical fitness and outdoor play. In conclusion, the results of this study suggest that engaging in outdoor play, which encompasses a range of physical activities, may improve binocular visual function and physical fitness among children aged 4–6.

[1] The MEXT, 2018.
[2] Sugihara, T., et al., Int J Sport Health Sci, 4: 49-56, 2006.