Physical Activity, Physical Fitness, and Motor Competence in Children Aged 5-10 Years-A Systematic Review

Motor competence (MC), physical activity (PA), and physical fitness (PF) are interrelated components of child development, yet evidence on the MC-PF-PA triad in middle childhood remains inconsistent due to methodological heterogeneity.

To synthesise associations between MC, PF, and PA in children aged 5-10 years (2020-2025) and to appraise methodological quality and certainty.

A PRISMA 2020-compliant systematic review (PROSPERO: CRD42024617560) searched six databases (PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, SportDiscus, SciELO, PsycINFO) from January 2020 to April 2025, updated November 2025. Eligible observational studies in English reported quantitative associations between ≥2 constructs in 5-10-year-olds using validated instruments. Risk of bias was appraised in duplicate with JBI checklists. Quantitative pooling was unfeasible under a pre-specified pooling matrix; associations were synthesised narratively and certainty rated using a GRADE-style framework.

Thirteen studies (n = 43-1064; 11 cross-sectional, 2 longitudinal) were included; six were low, five moderate, and two high risk of bias. MC-PA was predominantly positive, especially with objective instruments; MC-PF was consistently positive; PF-PA was less consistent but trended positive longitudinally. Mediation/moderation analyses (k = 3) supported roles for perceived competence, self-efficacy, and PF. Null/negative findings clustered among subjective PA measures and higher risk of bias. GRADE certainty was low-to-moderate.

MC, PF, and PA are interconnected in middle childhood, but cross-sectional predominance and instrument heterogeneity preclude causal inference; findings are provisional and should drive longitudinal, methodologically standardised research.