Are performance-based and self-report measures of children's motor skill abilities linked?

Traditionally, children's motor skills were assessed using standardized performance-based tests; however, practitioners are now being encouraged to utilize client-centered and child-centered assessment approaches (such as self-report scales). The purpose of the study was to investigate the association between standardized performance-based and child-report measures of children's motor skill abilities using a convenience sample of 93 typically developing school-age children (52 boys and 41 girls with a mean age of 10.3 years [standard deviation = 1.4]). Data obtained from the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency-second edition (BOT-2) and the Physical Self-Description Questionnaire (PSDQ) were analyzed using Spearman's rho correlations. Of the eight BOT-2 subscales, the three that significantly correlated with 8 or more of the 11 PSDQ subscales were the BOT-2 Balance, Running Speed and Agility, and Strength subscales. The PSDQ Body Fat and Flexibility subscales did not correlate with any of the BOT-2 subscale scores. This suggests that children offer a unique perspective of their motor skill performance relative to other sources of assessment information. The PSDQ is recommended for inclusion as part of the motor skill assessment repertoire that practitioners use with children.