Motor Competence and its Effect on Positive Developmental Trajectories of Health

Abstract

In 2008, Stodden and colleagues took a unique developmental approach toward addressing the potential role of motor competence in promoting positive or negative trajectories of physical activity, health-related fitness, and weight status. The conceptual model proposed synergistic relationships among physical activity, motor competence, perceived motor competence, health-related physical fitness, and obesity with associations hypothesized to strengthen over time. At the time the model was proposed, limited evidence was available to support or refute the model hypotheses. Over the past 6 years, the number of investigations exploring these relationships has increased significantly. Thus, it is an appropriate time to examine published data that directly or indirectly relate to specific pathways noted in the conceptual model. Evidence indicates that motor competence is positively associated with perceived competence and multiple aspects of health (i.e., physical activity, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscular strength, muscular endurance, and a healthy weight status). However, questions related to the increased strength of associations across time and antecedent/consequent mechanisms remain. An individual's physical and psychological development is a complex and multifaceted process that synergistically evolves across time. Understanding the most salient factors that influence health and well-being and how relationships among these factors change across time is a critical need for future research in this area. This knowledge could aid in addressing the declining levels of physical activity and fitness along with the increasing rates of obesity across childhood and adolescence.

Using Rasch modeling to investigate the construct of motor competence in early childhood

“…Motor development is considered an important factor in children's overall health (Hill, 2010;Lubans, Morgan, Cliff, Barnett, & Okely, 2010;Robinson et al, 2015;Stodden et al, 2008). In spite of its significance, a common understanding of the latent construct of motor behavior underlying assessment is lacking.…”

Configurations of actual and perceived motor competence among children: Associations with motivation for sports and global self-worth

“…Motor competence refers to the ability to execute diverse motor tasks in a skilful manner, which includes the coordination of both gross and fine motor skills (Gallahue, Ozmun, & Goodway, 2012;Haga, 2008). The role of motor competence in children's physical activity levels has been conceptualized in a theoretical model by Stodden et al (2008; recently revised by Robinson et al in 2015). Numerous studies have confirmed the proposed positive relationship between children's motor competence and their physical activity levels (e.g., Holfelder & Schott, 2014;Logan et al, 2014;Lubans, Morgan, Cliff, Barnett, & Okely, 2010).…”

Physical fitness of primary school children in the reflection of different levels of gross motor coordination

“…However, it is still unclear how the development of health-related variables may impact each other to promote either positive or negative trajectories (Robinson et al, 2015). Stodden et al (2008) present a conceptual model proposed synergistic relationships among physical activity, motor competence, physical fitness, and obesity.…”

“…The reason is that an explanation of the relations between these constructs is multifaceted (Robinson et al, 2015).…”