ERIC Number: EJ1429256
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2024-Apr
Pages: 24
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-2325-3193
EISSN: EISSN-2325-3215
Correlates of Motor Competence in Primary School Students: A Cross-Sectional Study from a Portuguese Municipality
Francisco Carvalho; Marcos Onofre; João Mota; Miguel Peralta; Adilson Marques; Ana Quitério; António Rodrigues; Pedro Alves; Wesley O'Brien; João Martins
Journal of Motor Learning and Development, v12 n1 p174-197 2024
Children's motor competence (MC) levels tend to be low, and the investigation of variables that facilitate skillfulness is an important concern. The socioecological model is a useful framework to explore factors that influence MC and to inform the development of targeted interventions. This cross-sectional study aimed to perform an exploratory analysis of MC correlates among children. The sample comprised 267 second- and fourth-grade children (120 female; M[subscript age] = 102 months, SD = 14 months) from six primary schools. The children's legal guardian questionnaire collected sociodemographic, behavioral, and family variables. MC was assessed with the Motorische Basiskompetenzen battery. Data analysis involved simple and multiple regression models. The mean total Motorische Basiskompetenzen score was 8.9 (3.4) out of a maximum score of 16. Sex, age, body mass index, and physical activity and sports clubs were significantly related to total MC in all models (p < 0.05). The final model predicted a variance of 24.5%, adjusted R[superscript 2] = 0.245, F(20, 246) = 5.32, p < 0.001, with male sex (B = 2.03) and organized physical activity (B = 0.35) being positively associated with total MC. Fourth grade (B = -3.6) and body mass index (B = -0.23) were negatively associated with MC. The study provides provisional evidence for the role of some sociodemographic and behavioral factors in MC development, which are important to design future MC interventions.
Descriptors: Foreign Countries, Psychomotor Skills, Motor Development, Elementary School Students, Grade 2, Grade 4, Physical Activity Level, Body Composition, Sex, Age, Correlation
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Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Research
Education Level: Elementary Education; Early Childhood Education; Grade 2; Primary Education; Grade 4; Intermediate Grades
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Portugal
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A