Investigation Into the Relationship Between Adolescents’ Perceived and Actual Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Activity

Abstract

Objectives: To explore the relationship between fundamental movement skill (FMS) competence, perceived FMS competence and physical activity (PA) in adolescents. Methods:The Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD), the TGMD-2 and the Victorian Skills manual were used to assess FMS competence (locomotor, object control and stability).The Physical Self Confidence scale was used to assess perceived FMS competence (locomotor, object control and stability). Moderate to vigorous intensity PA (MVPA) was measured via accelerometry. Multi-level modelling analyses was used to examine: (i) actual FMS as the predictor and perceived FMS as the outcome, (ii) perceived FMS as the predictor and MVPA as the outcome, and (iii) actual FMS as the predictor and MVPA as the outcome. All analyses were completed for each subtest of FMS (locomotor, object control and stability).Results: A total of 584 adolescents (boys n = 278) aged 12.82 -15.25 years (M 13.78, SD .42) participated in this study. Actual stability was associated with perceived stability (p<.01) and MVPA (p<.05) in boys. This was not found true for girls, however actual locomotor skills were associated with MVPA (p≤.05). Boys scored significantly higher than girls for FMS proficiency, perceived FMS and MVPA (p<.05).Discussion: Gender differences may exist due to cultural gender differences in sport participation norms. Considering the magnitude of physical and psychological changes occurring during adolescence, it is recommended to track young people over time to better understand the relationship between perceived and actual FMS, as well as PA participation.

Does Perception of Motor Competence Mediate Associations between Motor Competence and Physical Activity in Early Years Children?

“…In accordance with previous literature, there were significant sex-differences in perceived MC between males and females [38,39,40,41] as males’ perceived MC was significantly higher than that of females. Prior studies have tended to report that males perceive themselves more proficient in MC than females [38,39,40,41]. This current study suggests that this is the case in British early years children, and whilst not a novel finding in the literature, it has not previously been established in British early years children.…”

Investigating the Age-Related Association between Perceived Motor Competence and Actual Motor Competence in Adolescence

“…This study’s findings as well as those of previous Irish [ 22 , 57 , 87 ] and international work [ 34 , 43 , 88 ] suggest that high PMC values are common in later childhood and early adolescence. Furthermore, these values may even remain stable with aging; a study of Dutch and German children ( n = 198; male = 110; female = 88; mean age = 9.35 ± 0.67 years) found no significant differences in their perception of ability a year after their initial assessment, with values still remaining high [ 34 ].…”

“…This potentially indicates that the theoretical assumption of greater accuracy of assessing one’s PMC as children age may be flawed. The reasons for this are innumerable; it has been suggested that enhanced awareness and social comparisons of their peers may interfere with self-assessment among adolescents [ 87 ]. The potential for social desirability bias impacting on self-report data should be noted; this is a common problem in PA research, where a disconnect between reported behavior and actual behavior exists [ 89 , 90 ].…”

Evaluación de la precisión de percepción de competencia motriz en adolescentes

“…La revisión bibliográfica realizada, muestra que los datos de esta investigación, respecto a la competencia motriz de chicos y chicas, concuerdan con resultados de anteriores investigaciones, en las que se observa que los chicos, presentan un nivel más alto de competencia motriz, que las chicas (Gómez et al, 2006;Ruiz, 2010;Katic et al, 2013;Lorson et al 2013;McGrane, Powell, Belton, & Issartel, 2018;Ruiz & Graupera, 2003;Shibley, 2005).…”