Do Skilled Children Become Active Adolescents?
Year: 2008
Type: article
Abstract: Cross sectional studies have indicated that motor skill proficiency is related to physical activity participation but this has not been demonstrated in longitudinal studies. PURPOSE: To determine whether childhood fundamental motor skill (FMS) proficiency predicts adolescent physical activity. METHODS: In 2000, children's proficiency in three object control (kick, catch, throw) and three locomotor (hop, side gallop, vertical jump) skills, were assessed as part of a primary school based intervention to increase physical activity levels. Participants were followed up during 2006/07 as part of the Physical Activity and Skills Study (PASS) and physical activity participation was measured using the Australian Physical Activity Recall Questionnaire. Linear regression was used to examine the relationship between childhood fundamental movement skill proficiency and adolescent physical activity controlling for gender and school grade. A composite skill score was constructed for analysis. RESULTS: Almost all eligible high schools (95% n=41/42) consented. Half of 928 MIGI participants (52% n=481) were located in 28 schools (of the possible 41). Student consent was 62% (n=297/481) with 57% (n=276/481) surveyed. Slightly more were female (52%, n=144) with 58% Grade 10 (n=159/275) and 40% (n=111/275) Grade 11. Mean composite skill score for 2000 was 17.3 (SD 5.05). At follow up, in 2006/07, mean activity time was 827.2 minutes per week (equivalent to 2 hrs per day). Skill proficiency in childhood is associated with time in moderate to vigorous physical activity accounting for 12% of variation. Overall, object control skills were a stronger physical activity predictor. CONCLUSIONS: Children more proficient at performing FMS, particularly object control skills, are more likely to be active adolescents. FMS development should be an integral strategy of interventions aiming to promote long-term physical activity. Supported by New South Wales Health, Australia and Sydney University, Department of Rural Health (Northern Rivers), Australia.
Language: English
Subfield: Developmental and Educational Psychology
Field: Psychology
Domain: Social Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W2069331475