The relationship between adolescents’ physical activity, fundamental movement skills and weight status

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine if a potential relationship among physical activity (PA), fundamental movement skills and weight status exists amongst early adolescent youth. Participants were a sample of 85 students; 54 boys (mean age = 12.94 ± 0.33 years) and 31 girls (mean age = 12.75 ± 0.43 years). Data gathered during physical education class included PA (accelerometry), fundamental movement skills and anthropometric measurements. Standard multiple regression revealed that PA and total fundamental movement skill proficiency scores explained 16.5% (P < 0.001) of the variance in the prediction of body mass index. Chi-square tests for independence further indicated that compared with overweight or obese adolescents, a significantly higher proportion of adolescents classified as normal weight achieved mastery/near-mastery in fundamental movement skills. Results from the current investigation indicate that weight status is an important correlate of fundamental movement skill proficiency during adolescence. Aligned with most recent research, school- and community-based programmes that include developmentally structured learning experiences delivered by specialists can significantly improve fundamental movement skill proficiency in youth.

Investigation Into the Relationship Between Adolescents’ Perceived and Actual Fundamental Movement Skills and Physical Activity

“…In the study by McGrane et al (2016) the correlation between actual FMS and perceived FMS also differed by sex, as it was not significant for boys but was for girls. In a previous study among adolescents looking at FMS competence and PA, no significant correlations were found for boys however, a significant correlation was found for vigorous PA in girls (O'Brien et al, 2015). Findings highlight the importance of considering sex when looking at the relationship between FMS (actual and perceived) and PA participation.…”

“…As highlighted in the review by Barnett et al (2016), PA is the most examined correlate of gross motor competence with many studies looking at the relationship between FMS and PA alone Holfelder & Schott, 2014;O'Brien et al, 2015), or actual FMS and perceived FMS alone . The current study investigated the associations between adolescents' perceived and actual FMS competence and PA.…”

“…Various studies have been conducted assessing the relationship between perceived FMS ability and actual FMS competence (De Meester et al, 2016;Raudsepp & Liblik, 2002). There have been studies highlighting the associations between actual FMS competence and PA among both children and adolescents (Barnett, van Beurden, Morgan, Brooks, & Beard, 2009;Holfelder & Schott, 2014;O'Brien, Belton, & Issartel, 2015), however, they have not included perceived FMS. There has also been a recent study assessing FMS and perceived FMS ability among adolescents ) which found that for boys there is no significant correlation whereas for girls there is a moderate significant correlation.…”

Do Irish Adolescents Have Adequate Functional Movement Skill and Confidence?

“…Procedures outlined in the respective TGMD-2 examiners manual (Ulrich, 2000) were closely adhered to within the assessment of the 10 FMS during the selected physical education period. This process for FMS measurement has been reported previously in an Irish adolescent context (O' Brien et al, 2016a(O' Brien et al, , 2016b. To ensure participant consistency within skill performance, no feedback, verbal or otherwise, from any of the trained field staff was given during the testing.…”

Obesity, physical activity and traumatic dental injuries in adolescents from East London

“…Interestingly, a few studies point out that obese individuals are likely to be sedentary and/or physically inactive (13,14), which might be protective against TDI. However, they also have poorer motor skills to respond swiftly, which may increase the odds of the fall rate among them (13,15). Therefore, the interrelationship between obesity, physical activity and TDI needs to be carefully considered.…”