Abstract
Background: Motor skill competence (MSC) and perceived competence (PC) are primary correlates that are linked with physical activity (PA) participation, yet there is limited evidence of the mutual longitudinal or temporal associations between these variables in preschoolers. Therefore, this study’s purpose was to examine the bidirectional relationships between MSC and PA, MSC and PC, and PC and PA in preschoolers over time. Methods: The final sample were 61 preschoolers (Mage = 4.45 years, ranging from 4 to 5) from two underserved schools. MSC was assessed using the Test of Gross Motor Development, Second Edition (TGMD-2). PC was assessed using the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children. PA was assessed using ActiGraph GT9X Link accelerometers during three consecutive school days. All assessments of MSC, PC, and PA were measured in identical conditions at schools at the baseline (T1) and the end of the eighth week (T2). We employed a cross-lagged model approach to understand the bidirectional relationships between MSC, PC, and PA. Results: The results showed that T1 MSC significantly predicted T2 MSC (p < 0.01) and T1 MSC significantly predicted T2 PA only in girls (p = 0.03). Additionally, a cross-lagged effect of T1 MSC and T2 PC was only observed in boys (p = 0.03). Lastly, a significant association for T1 moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) and T2 PC was only observed in girls (p = 0.04). Conclusions: Bidirectional relationships between the variables were not observed in preschoolers. However, significant gender differences were observed in each cross-lagged model.
Highlights
Physical activity (PA) participation plays a crucial role in preventing obesity and promoting cardiovascular fitness among young children [1]
As one of the important correlates of PA [7], motor skill competence (MSC) refers to proficiency in object control skills and locomotor skills development, which are a group of fundamental motor skills that are necessary to acquire to successfully participate in sports or physical activity [7,8]
Given that we worked with young children, the University Institutional Review Board exempted the requirement for child assent
Summary
Physical activity (PA) participation plays a crucial role in preventing obesity and promoting cardiovascular fitness among young children (i.e., those 4–6 years of age) [1]. The global prevalence of childhood overweight and obesity has increased from only 4% in 1975 to 18% in 2016, indicating that over 124 million children and adolescents aged 5–19 had overweight or obesity [2] This is concerning given that early childhood obesity is a significant predictor of adolescent and adult obesity [3–6], which is associated with increased risk of chronic diseases, such as heart disease and type 2 diabetes [2]. Research has shown that motor skills acquisition in early childhood is an important prerequisite for children to participate in PA and maintain physically active lifestyles [9–11]. Motor skill competence (MSC) and perceived competence (PC) are primary correlates that are linked with physical activity (PA) participation, yet there is limited evidence of the mutual longitudinal or temporal associations between these variables in preschoolers. Significant gender differences were observed in each cross-lagged model
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