Objectively assessed vigorous physical activity and motor coordination are associated in 11‐year old children

Abstract

This cross‐sectional study examined the associations between gender, sports club (SC) participation, physical activity (PA), motor coordination (MQ) and object control skill (TC). 11 year‐old children (n = 477) wore accelerometers during seven consecutive days for the analysis of moderate PA (MPA) and vigorous PA (VPA). To detect motor competence (MC), children's motor coordination was measured using the KTK (MQ), and object control skill with throw‐and‐catch task (TC). Sports club (SC) status was obtained by a questionnaire. Boys had higher levels of MPA (F = 50.45, P<0.001) and VPA (F = 11.13, P = 0.001), and were better in TC (F = 39.83, P < 0.001) than girls. SC participants outperformed non‐participants in MPA (F = 5.45, P = 0.020) and VPA (F = 11.71, P = 0.001), MQ (F = 31.56, P < 0.001), and TC (F = 15.60, P < 0.001). Moreover, better TC was associated with higher MPA (β = 0.88, t = 2.16, P = 0.031), and higher MQ was associated with higher VPA (β = 0.21, t = 3.87, P < 0.001). The association between PA and MC was found showing that different intensities of PA were associated with different aspects of MC. SC participation may be one important factor promoting PA and MC in children. Therefore, all children, especially girls, should be encouraged to participate in various practices to ensure the development of adequate level of motor competence to be physically active.