Motor competence and physical fitness in adolescents

Pediatr Phys Ther. 2014 Spring;26(1):69-74. doi: 10.1097/PEP.0000000000000006.

Abstract

Purpose: In this study we examined the relationship between physical fitness and motor competence in adolescents aged 15 to 16 years.

Methods: A sample of 94 adolescents participated in the study. To test motor competence, the Movement Assessment Battery for Children-2 was used. Physical fitness was assessed using the following test items: standing broad jump, 20-m dash, reduced Cooper test, and sit-and-reach test.

Results: The results revealed a significant but weak relationship (0.248) between motor competence and physical fitness for the whole sample. More specifically, the correlation between the 2 variables was significant for girls (0.353) but not for boys (0.248).

Conclusions: The relatively weak relationship between motor competence and physical fitness suggests that motor competence might not be critical in adolescents to maintain their physical fitness.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Exercise Test
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Motor Skills / physiology*
  • Movement
  • Physical Fitness / physiology*
  • Physical Therapy Modalities*