Longitudinal associations between motor competence and different physical activity intensities: LabMed physical activity study

Abstract

An appropriated level of motor competence is essential for children´s healthy growth and development and a key factor in the promotion of lifelong active lifestyles and health. The purpose of this study was to examine associations between motor competence and different physical activity intensities (light, moderate, moderate-to-vigorous and vigorous physical activity), as well as total physical activity, over a two-year period, in adolescents. The sample comprised of 103 adolescents (13.49 ± 0.87 years, 53 girls), from the north of Portugal. Motor competence was evaluated with the body coordination test, Körperkoordination-Test-für-Kinder. Physical activity was objectively assessed with GT1M accelerometers (ActiGraph, Pensacola, FL, USA). Physical activity variables were expressed as proportions of accelerometer wear time. Regression analyses showed positive longitudinal associations between motor competence at baseline and moderate physical activity (B = 0.0033, p = 0.018), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (B = 0.0052, p = 0.024) and total physical activity (B = 0.067, p = 0.040) at follow up, after adjustments for age, sex, the corresponding physical activity intensity at baseline, body mass index, pubertal stage and socioeconomic status. Our findings highlight the importance of motor competence development to promote moderate-to-vigorous physical activity during adolescence.

Decline of physical activity in early adolescence: A 3-year cohort study

“…In both genders, MVPA levels decrease with age [11], especially during adolescence [12]. Most of the existing studies has found the decline of MVPA in children and adolescents [9,10,[13][14][15][16][17][18][19]], but did not take into account the differences in maturity. The decrease of MVPA may extend into adulthood [12,20,21] and seems to be more associated with biological age than with chronological age [22].…”

School Children’s Physical Activity, Motor Competence, and Corresponding Self-Perception: A Longitudinal Analysis of Reciprocal Relationships

“…16 Recent longitudinal studies examining only one direction of the PA-MC relationship also supported the theoretical concept. 17,19,23 It should be noted that the direct or indirect effects identified in these studies are of small to medium size.…”

“…Since the publication of these reviews, a growing number of longitudinal studies investigating the causal or reciprocal relationship between MC and PA, as well as the potential mediators of this relationship in childhood and adolescence, have been noted. [16][17][18][19][20] The results of the Copenhagen School Children Intervention Study 18 indicated a reciprocal relationship between MC and PA over 7 years from early to late childhood. The level of MC achieved in late childhood was predicted by PA in early childhood.…”

“…21,22,24 Furthermore, longitudinal studies have suggested that the causal relationship between PA and MC becomes empirically evident with the transition from middle childhood to adolescence. [17][18][19] It is also recommended to investigate the importance of different PA intensity levels for the development and promotion of MC, fitness, and health. 24 Longitudinal studies have shown that the relationship between PA and MC becomes empirically evident in late childhood and early adolescence, particularly when objectively measured VPA is considered.…”

“…24 Longitudinal studies have shown that the relationship between PA and MC becomes empirically evident in late childhood and early adolescence, particularly when objectively measured VPA is considered. [17][18][19] Furthermore, studies with children and adolescents found that VPA is more closely connected to healthrelated fitness and health benefits than lower PA intensity levels. 25 It is noticeable that each of the 2 directions of the hypothesized reciprocal relationship between PA and MC has so far only been tested in isolation.…”