Longitudinal associations between infant tummy time and development

Oral Presentation C9.1

Authors

  • Valerie Carson University of Alberta
  • Zhiguang Zhang University of Alberta
  • Madison Predy University of Alberta
  • Lesley Pritchard University of Alberta
  • Kylie D. Hesketh Deakin University

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.693

Keywords:

Infant, Tummy Time, Development

Abstract

Background: National and international guidelines recommend tummy time as a form of physical activity for infants who are not yet mobile but evidence gaps exist. Purpose: Examine the longitudinal associations of tummy time with development and the acquisition of gross motor milestones in the first 18 months of life. Methods: Participants were 411 parents of infants from the Early Movers project in Edmonton, Canada. Tummy time was measured using a questionnaire and the Ages & Stages Questionnaire (ASQ-3) developmental screening tool was administered at 2, 4, and 6 months. In a subsample (n=127), tummy time was measured using a time-use diary at the same time points and gross motor development was assessed using the Alberta Infant Motor Scale (AIMS) at 6 months. Parents reported when six major gross motor milestones were acquired according to World Health Organization criteria. Linear mixed models were conducted. Results: Higher questionnaire and time-use diary measures of tummy time overtime were significantly associated with higher ASQ-3 and AIMS scores as well as earlier acquisition of crawling, independent standing and walking milestones. Higher tummy time, as measured by the questionnaire, was also significantly associated with better personal-social development and earlier acquisition of independent sitting and assisted standing and walking milestones. Conclusions: Tummy time in the first 6 months of life was consistently associated with more advanced gross motor development. Funding: Canadian Institutes of Health Research, Stollery Children's Hospital Foundation through the Women and Children’s Health Research Institute, and the University of Alberta. 

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Published

2021-09-30

How to Cite

Carson, V., Zhang, Z., Predy, M., Pritchard, L., & Hesketh, K. (2021). Longitudinal associations between infant tummy time and development: Oral Presentation C9.1. The Health & Fitness Journal of Canada, 14(3). https://doi.org/10.14288/hfjc.v14i3.693