Data from: Associations among elementary school children's actual motor competence, perceived motor competence, physical activity and BMI: a cross-sectional study

Background: Positive associations between motor competence and physical activity have been identified by means of variable-centered analyses. To expand the understanding of these associations, this study used a person-centered approach to investigate whether different combinations (i.e., profiles) of actual and perceived motor competence exist (aim 1); and to examine differences in physical activity levels (aim 2) and weight status (aim 3) among children with different motor competence-based profiles. Methods: Children's (N=361; Boys=50%; Mage=9.50±1.24yrs) actual motor competence was measured with the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 and their perceived motor competence via the Self Perception Profile for Children. We assessed physical activity via accelerometers; height through stadiometers, and weight through scales. Cluster analyses (aim 1) and MANCOVAs (aim 2 & 3) were used to analyze the data. Results: The analysis generated two predictable groups: one group displaying relatively high levels of both actual (M TGMD percentile=42.54, SD=2.33) and perceived motor competence (M=3.42, SD=.37; high-high), and one group with relatively low levels of both (M percentile=9.71, SD=3.21; M PMC=2.52, SD=.35; low-low). One additional group was also identified as having relatively low levels of actual motor competence (M percentile=4.22, SD=2.85) but relatively high levels of perceived motor competence (M=3.52, SD=.30; low-high). The high-high group demonstrated higher daily physical activity (M=48.39±2.03) and lower BMI (M=18.13±.43) than the low-low group (MMVPA=37.93±2.01; MBMI=20.22±.42). The low-high group had similar physical activity-levels as the low-low group (M=36.21±2.18) and did not significantly differ in BMI (M=19.49±.46) from the other two groups. Conclusions: A combination of high actual and perceived motor competence is related to higher physical activity and lower weight status. It is thus recommended to expand health interventions in children with components that foster the development of both actual and perceived motor competence. Health professionals should furthermore pay sufficient attention to endorsing children's actual and perceived motor competence.背景：既往已有研究采用变量为中心的分析（variable-centered analyses）方法，证实了运动能力与身体活动之间存在正向关联。为进一步深化对这类关联的认知，本研究采用以人为中心的分析（person-centered approach）方法，旨在探究不同的实际运动能力与感知运动能力的组合模式（即分型，profiles）是否存在（目标1）；同时考察不同运动能力分型儿童在身体活动水平（目标2）与体重状态（目标3）上的差异。 研究方法：本研究共纳入361名儿童（男性占比50%，平均年龄为9.50±1.24岁）。采用大肌肉运动发展测试第二版（Test of Gross Motor Development-2, TGMD-2）评估儿童的实际运动能力，通过儿童自我感知量表（Self Perception Profile for Children）评估其感知运动能力。采用加速度计测量身体活动水平，通过身高计测量身高、体重秤测量体重。数据分析采用聚类分析（cluster analyses，对应目标1）与协方差多变量分析（MANCOVAs，对应目标2与目标3）。 研究结果：分析共生成三类可区分的群体：其一为实际运动能力与感知运动能力均处于相对较高水平的组别（实际运动能力TGMD百分位数均值为42.54，标准差为2.33；感知运动能力均值为3.42，标准差为0.37，记为高-高组）；其二为两项能力均处于相对较低水平的组别（百分位数均值为9.71，标准差为3.21；感知运动能力均值为2.52，标准差为0.35，记为低-低组）；此外还识别出第三类群体，其实际运动能力相对较低（百分位数均值为4.22，标准差为2.85）但感知运动能力相对较高（均值为3.52，标准差为0.30，记为低-高组）。相较于低-低组（每日中等至高强度身体活动量均值为37.93±2.01，身体质量指数（BMI, Body Mass Index）均值为20.22±0.42），高-高组的每日身体活动水平更高（均值为48.39±2.03），BMI均值更低（18.13±0.43）。低-高组的身体活动水平与低-低组相近（均值为36.21±2.18），且BMI均值（19.49±0.46）与其余两组无显著差异。 研究结论：本研究表明，较高的实际运动能力与感知运动能力组合，与更高的身体活动水平及更优的体重状态相关。因此，建议在儿童健康干预方案中加入能够同时促进实际运动能力与感知运动能力发展的内容。此外，健康从业者应充分重视对儿童实际运动能力与感知运动能力的培养与支持。