Abstract
BackgroundThe development of childhood motor competence demonstrates a high degree of inter-individual variation. Some children’s competence levels increase whilst others’ competence levels remain unchanged or even decrease over time. However, few studies have examined this developmental change in motor competence across childhood and little is known on influencing factors.AimUsing latent growth curve modeling (LGCM), the present longitudinal study aimed to investigate children’s change in motor competence across a 2-year timespan and to examine the potential influence of baseline weight status and physical fitness on their trajectory of change in motor competence.Methods558 children (52.5% boys) aged between 6 and 9 years participated in this study. Baseline measurements included weight status, motor competence (i.e., Körperkoördinationstest für Kinder; KTK) and physical fitness (i.e., sit and reach, standing long jump and the 20 m shuttle run test). Motor competence assessment took place three times across a 2-year timespan. LGCM was conducted to examine change in motor competence over time.ResultsThe analyses showed a positive linear change in motor competence across 2 years (β = 28.48, p < 0.001) with significant variability in children’s individual trajectories (p < 0.001). Girls made less progress than boys (β = –2.12, p = 0.01). Children who were older at baseline demonstrated less change in motor competence (β = –0.33, p < 0.001). Weight status at baseline was negatively associated with change in motor competence over time (β = –1.418, p = 0.002). None of the physical fitness components, measured at baseline, were significantly associated with change in motor competence over time.Conclusion and ImplicationsThis longitudinal study reveals that weight status significantly influences children’s motor competence trajectories whilst physical fitness demonstrated no significant influence on motor competence trajectories. Future studies should further explore children’s differential trajectories over time and potential factors influencing that change.
Highlights
IntroductionMotor competence, which reflects the degree of proficient performance in various motor skills as well as the underlying mechanisms (e.g., motor control and coordination; Utesch and Bardid, 2019), is considered a key component in developing a healthy and active lifestyle from early childhood onwards (Stodden et al, 2008; Robinson et al, 2015; Cattuzzo et al, 2016)
Motor competence, which reflects the degree of proficient performance in various motor skills as well as the underlying mechanisms, is considered a key component in developing a healthy and active lifestyle from early childhood onwards (Stodden et al, 2008; Robinson et al, 2015; Cattuzzo et al, 2016)
Motor competence generally increased over time, which is visualized by the thick black lines in Figure 2 and Figure 3, representing the average trajectory in the low, average and high rate of change group
Summary
Motor competence, which reflects the degree of proficient performance in various motor skills as well as the underlying mechanisms (e.g., motor control and coordination; Utesch and Bardid, 2019), is considered a key component in developing a healthy and active lifestyle from early childhood onwards (Stodden et al, 2008; Robinson et al, 2015; Cattuzzo et al, 2016). The role of motor competence in children’s health is well described in the conceptual model of Stodden et al (2008) This model denotes the relationship between motor competence and physical activity across childhood as well as their interrelations with perceived motor competence, weight status and physical fitness. Henrique et al (2018) found a significant relationship between motor competence, physical fitness and weight status over time in children aged 6–9 years. Few studies have examined this developmental change in motor competence across childhood and little is known on influencing factors
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