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Updated: Sep 14, 2025
Quantified Assessment of Infant's Gross Motor Abilities Using a Multisensor Wearable
Published on: May 17, 2024
Why Motor Competence Matters: Fundamental Movement Skills and Their Role in Promoting Physical Activity and Health in
Jakub Kokstejn1, Miroslav Grobar1, Jindrich Vampola1
1Department of Sport Games, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Charles University, Jose Martiho 269/31, 16252 Prague, Czech Republic.
Abstract:
Background: Motor competence (MC) plays a critical role in shaping children's physical activity, health-related fitness, and weight status. However, few studies have explored these interrelationships during middle childhood. Objectives: The current study aimed to examine the relationships between MC and physical activity (PA), health-related fitness (HRF), and weight status (WS) in children during middle childhood (9-10 years). Simultaneously, the study aimed to find possible differences in PA, HRF, and WS between children with different levels of MC. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, the TGMD-2 (MC), UNIFITTEST 6-60 (HRF), ActiGraph GT3X (PA), and anthropometry (WS) were administered to 86 children (59 boys, age range of 9-10 years and mean age of 10.1 ± 0.6 years). Results: A significant strong association was observed between MC and HRF (p < 0.01, Cramer's V = 0.42). Significant moderate associations were observed between MC and WS (p < 0.05, Cramer's V = 0.34) and between MC and PA (p < 0.05, Cramer's V = 0.25). Children with high MC proficiency demonstrated significantly higher levels of HRF (p < 0.01; large ES) and PA (p < 0.05; moderate ES) and a healthier WS (p < 0.01; moderate ES) than those with low MC proficiency. Similarly, children with moderate MC proficiency outperformed children with low MC in terms of HRF and WS. Conclusions: The strong associations between MC and key health indicators such as PA, HRF, and WS suggest that movement proficiency in middle childhood should be viewed as a cornerstone of health promotion. Although no causal claims can be made, the results emphasize the practical importance of integrating targeted motor skill development-especially FMSs-into school-based physical education and extracurricular programs. Supporting MC at this age may be a decisive step toward fostering long-term engagement in physical activity and improving children's overall health trajectories.
