The role of sport participation and body mass index in predicting motor competence of school-age children

Luciana Ferreira,Francielle Rocha,Pamela Norraila Da Silva,Raquel Nichele De Chaves,Jose Luiz Lopes Vieira,Priscila Caçola,Romulo Araújo Fernandez,Francielle Cheuczuk

doi:10.4025/jphyseduc.v30i1.3024

Abstract

Purpose: Our goal was to investigate the association between sport participation (SP) and motor competence (MC), and to assess the mediation role of body mass index (BMI) on this association. Method: 707 children (332 boys, 375 girls) aged between 6- to 10 years participated in the study. MC was assessed using the BOT-2. Parents were asked about organized SP, and BMI was calculated based on the child’s height and weight. Results: Our findings showed that SP was associated with MC, and BMI was not an important factor in these relationships. However, a small mediation of BMI was found, but only for obese children. Conclusion: In summary, that sport participation plays a relevant role in the development of motor competence in school-age children, and that association is, in general, not mediated by weight status.

Highlights

Motor competence (MC) is defined as proficiency in fundamental motor skills including locomotor and object control skills[1], and represents the degree of skilled performance in a wide range of motor tasks as well as the movement quality, coordination and control underlying a particular motor outcome[2]
Coordination and Strength & Agility). We looked at those relationships in children categorized in all groups based on weight status when mediated by body mass index (BMI)
This sample was selected based on the following steps: At the time of the study, there were a total of 16.335 children between 6 and 10 years of age enrolled in the 49 public schools that make up the school district in Maringá

Summary

Introduction

Motor competence (MC) is defined as proficiency in fundamental motor skills including locomotor and object control skills[1], and represents the degree of skilled performance in a wide range of motor tasks as well as the movement quality, coordination and control underlying a particular motor outcome[2].

Objectives

Methods

Discussion

Conclusion