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Published on: September 18, 2017
A reverse pathway? Actual and perceived skill proficiency and physical activity.
Lisa M Barnett1, Philip J Morgan, Eric Van Beurden
1Deakin University, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia. lisa.barnett@deakin.edu.au
Medicine and Science in Sports and Exercise
|October 22, 2010
Summary
Adolescent motor skills and physical activity have a reciprocal relationship, with perceived sports competence acting as a key mediator. Interventions should target both skill development and physical activity levels simultaneously.
Area of Science:
- Adolescent Health
- Motor Skill Development
- Physical Activity Promotion
Background:
- Motor skills are foundational for physical activity participation in adolescents.
- The relationship between motor skills and physical activity may be bidirectional.
- Perceived sports competence could influence this relationship.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the reciprocal relationship between motor skills (object control, locomotor) and moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) in adolescents.
- To investigate the mediating role of perceived sports competence in the motor skill-physical activity association.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study with 215 adolescents (mean age 16.4 years).
- Assessed motor skill proficiency, perceived sports competence, and physical activity levels.
- Used structural equation modeling (AMOS) to analyze reciprocal relationships and mediation.
Main Results:
- Found a reciprocal relationship between object control skills and MVPA.
- Identified a one-way relationship from MVPA to locomotor skills.
- Perceived sports competence partially mediated the object control-physical activity link and fully mediated the physical activity-locomotor skill link when skill was the outcome.
Conclusions:
- The motor skill-physical activity relationship functions as a positive feedback loop.
- Interventions should concurrently enhance motor skills and physical activity.
- Increasing perceived sports competence is a crucial target for interventions.
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