Prediction of habitual physical activity level and weight status from fundamental movement skill level

Abstract

Fundamental movement skills (FMS) have been assessed in children in order to investigate the issues of the low proportion of children who meet physical activity (PA) guidelines and rising levels of obesity. The aim of this research was to identify whether previous or current FMS level is a better predictor of PA levels and weight status in children. In January 2012 (year 1), 281 children were recruited from one primary school in the West Midlands, UK. Children performed eight FMS three times, which were videoed and assessed using a subjective checklist. Sprint speed and jump height were measured objectively. Height and mass were measured to calculate the body mass index to determine the weight status. Skinfold calliper readings were used to calculate body fat percentage. One year later, in January 2013, all these tests were repeated on the same children, with the additional collection of PA data via the use of pedometers. Following multiple linear regression, it was identified that prior mastery in FMS was a better predictor of current PA, whereas current FMS was a better predictor of current weight status. Overall, FMS mastery is needed in childhood to be able to participate in PA and maintain a healthy weight status.

Fitness, fatness and the reallocation of time between children’s daily movement behaviours: an analysis of compositional data

“…When MVPA was reallocated to sleep, ST, or LPA around the mean overweight/obese composition, the differences in predicted zBMI, %WHtR, and CRF were more than double those observed for reallocations at the mean composition for normal-weight children. Overweight/obese children typically have lower CRF [66], motor competence [67, 68], physical self-perceptions [69, 70], and are less physically active than leaner peers [71, 72]. Our results demonstrate that from a health perspective this group have most to lose when their activity behaviours are replaced with less intense or sedentary ones.…”

Fundamental movement skills in adolescents: Secular trends from 2003 to 2010 and associations with physical activity and BMI

“…14 It has been proposed that FMS, PA, and BMI are related variables within child and adolescent populations. 4,10,15,16 A developmental perspective on the role of motor skill competence in PA presented by Stodden et al (2008) is a widely utilized framework to explain these relationships. In this conceptual model, Stodden et al (2008) highlight that there is a dynamic and reciprocal relationship between obesity, PA, motor skill competency, perceived motor competence, and physical fitness.…”

“…Empirical studies have demonstrated that FMS, PA, and BMI are shown to be significantly correlated based on assessments undertaken during childhood and adolescence. [15][16][17] More specifically, research has indicated a negative relationship between FMS and being overweight, 16,17 and a positive relationship between FMS and a healthy weight status within child and adolescent cohorts. 15 Physical activity, motor competency, and cardiorespiratory fitness collectively have also been shown to have a strong longitudinal impact on the body fat levels of children.…”

“…[15][16][17] More specifically, research has indicated a negative relationship between FMS and being overweight, 16,17 and a positive relationship between FMS and a healthy weight status within child and adolescent cohorts. 15 Physical activity, motor competency, and cardiorespiratory fitness collectively have also been shown to have a strong longitudinal impact on the body fat levels of children. 18 Additionally, there is evidence that physical inactivity correlates positively with obesity, 4,19 and FMS with moderate or vigorous levels of PA. 16 It should also be noted that the majority of previous studies investigating the associations between motor skills, BMI, and PA have been conducted using samples involving children younger than 12 years.…”

A Multidimensional Investigation Into the Predictors of Physical Activity in Canadian Adolescents

“…Quite consistently, significant predictors of PA are found within various individual, physical, social, and environmental realms. Individual predictors of PA include demographic and biological factors (e.g., age, gender, race/ethnicity); cognitive, psychological, and emotional factors (e.g., attitude, knowledge, level of motivation, self-esteem, self-efficacy, personality factors, intelligence, maturation level); and behavioral attributes (e.g., sedentary time; Biddle & Asare, 2011;Bryant, James, Birch, & Duncan, 2014;Colley et al, 2012;Hall, Fong, & Epp, 2014;Lowry, Lee, Fulton, Demissie, & Kann, 2013;Shokrvash et al, 2012). Predictors within the physical dimension include nutrition, smoking, alcohol use, drug use, and violence (Erker & Licen, 2012;Leggett, Irwin, Griffith, Xue, & Fradette, 2011).…”