Prevalence of Motor Competence in Chilean Schoolchildren and Its Association With Sex, Age, and Weight Status: The CoMoSur Study

Chile is one of the countries with the lowest indicators of children's physical activity therefore it is necessary to promote the development of factors that encourage regular practice, such as motor competence (MC), which is considered a fundamental factor in improving physical activity trajectories in school-age children. This CoMoSur study aimed to determine the prevalence of MC in fifth- and sixth-grade primary school children in central-southern Chile and analyze the association of MC with sex, age, and weight status.

The MC of 1513 schoolchildren (49.4% girls; mean = 11.12 y, SD = 0.92) from 7 regions of central-southern Chile was assessed using the MOBAK 5-6 test. Confirmatory factor analyses and structural equation models were applied to test 2 models: (1) the factorial validity of the 2 dimensions of MC (object control and self-movement) and (2) the associations of MC with sex, age, and weight status.

Low levels of MC were observed, especially in girls. Model 1 showed adequate fit indices (χ2 = 64.912, df = 19, P ≤ .001, CFI = .975, TLI = .963, RMSEA = .040, SRMR = .035). Model 2 also presented satisfactory fit (χ2 = 161.97, df = 37, P ≤ .001, CFI = .943, TLI = .920, RMSEA = .047, SRMR = .071), revealing significant associations: sex is associated with both object control and self-movement, age was positively related to both MC dimensions, and higher weight status was negatively associated with MC.

The MC levels in Chilean schoolchildren are concerning, underlining the urgency of implementing intervention programs to strengthen motor competencies. Such strategies should consider differences in sex, age, and weight status to promote sustainable trajectories of physical activity from childhood onward.