Predilection for physical activity and body mass index z-score can quickly identify children needing support for a physically active lifestyle

Abstract

Comprehensive physical literacy assessments can be time-consuming and require a gymnasium space and examiner training. This project sought to identify easy-to-administer tasks, suitable for all physical activity and healthcare settings, which could quickly screen a group of children to identify those most likely to benefit from an in-depth assessment or additional physical literacy support. The 40 potential screening tasks were compared to the Canadian Assessment of Physical Literacy among 226 children (57% female) 8 to 12 years of age. Absolute body mass index z-score above 0.67 or predilection for physical activity less than 31.5/36 points had the highest sensitivity (81% and 83%, respectively) and specificity (45% and 52%, respectively). Predilection less than 31.5 combined with absolute body mass index z-scores achieved 81% sensitivity and 64% sensitivity. When the selected tasks were repeated on a different sample of 71 children (50% female), results were similar with the combination of predilection and absolute body mass index achieving 92% sensitivity and 53% specificity. Predilection for physical activity, absolute body mass index z-score, and a combination of the two are quick and easy screening tasks suitable for all physical activity settings that can identify children likely to need additional support for a physically active lifestyle. 
 
 Novelty:
 • Physical literacy screening can be completed in recreation, education, allied health, coaching and healthcare settings
 • Predilection for physical activity & BMI z-score quickly identify children needing physical literacy support

Validity, Reliability, and Feasibility of Physical Literacy Assessments Designed for School Children: A Systematic Review

“…3.8 . [ 45 ]). There was mixed evidence, depending on the instrument, from mainly Canadian populations and one Croatian population [ 44 ].…”

“…3.8 . [ 45 ]). Evidence for test content has been published for Canadian children for: the movement skills assessment component (the CAMSA [ 18 ]), the domains of motivation and confidence [ 26 ], and the CAPL version 2 approach [ 23 ].…”

“…3.8 . [ 45 ]). Lodewyk and Mandigo [ 27 ] published test content evidence (consultative process and expert feedback) for PFL in Canadian children and adolescents (Grades 4–9, age not reported).…”

“…Only one study published consequences evidence [ 45 ]. That study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of 40 screening tasks (including the PFL and PLAY motor skills, older version from 2013) to determine which tasks could identify children in need of support.…”

“…That study evaluated the sensitivity and specificity of 40 screening tasks (including the PFL and PLAY motor skills, older version from 2013) to determine which tasks could identify children in need of support. The CAPL (version 1) reported children with a low or high body mass index z-score and children with a predilection score towards physical activity less than 31.5/36 points were the most likely to have a CAPL physical literacy score below the 30th percentile [ 45 ]. While two of the instruments in this paper were not current versions, these findings are reported here as it was the only evidence located related to this validity aspect .…”