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：既往研究通过变量中心分析法（variable-centered analysis）证实运动能力（motor competence）与身体活动（physical activity）之间存在正向关联。为深化对二者关联的认知，本研究采用以人为中心的研究方法（person-centered approach），达成三项研究目标：其一，探究儿童实际运动能力（actual motor competence）与感知运动能力（perceived motor competence）是否存在不同的组合模式（即特征画像）；其二，分析不同运动能力特征画像儿童的身体活动水平差异；其三，分析不同运动能力特征画像儿童的体重状态差异。 方法：本研究共纳入361名儿童，其中男生占比50%，平均年龄为9.50±1.24岁。采用大肌肉动作发展测试第二版（Test of Gross Motor Development-2, TGMD-2）评估儿童实际运动能力，通过儿童自我知觉概貌量表（Self Perception Profile for Children）测量其感知运动能力。采用加速度计（accelerometers）评估身体活动水平，使用身高计（stadiometers）与体重秤（scales）分别测量身高与体重。本研究采用聚类分析（cluster analysis，对应目标1）与多变量协方差分析（MANCOVA, Multivariate Analysis of Covariance，对应目标2与3）对数据进行统计分析。 结果：本次分析共得到三类运动能力特征组：第一类为实际运动能力与感知运动能力均处于较高水平的"高高组"，其实际运动能力的TGMD百分位数均值为42.54（标准差SD=2.33），感知运动能力均值为3.42（标准差SD=0.37）；第二类为二者均处于较低水平的"低低组"，其实际运动能力的TGMD百分位数均值为9.71（标准差SD=3.21），感知运动能力均值为2.52（标准差SD=0.35）；第三类为实际运动能力较低但感知运动能力较高的"低高组"，其实际运动能力的TGMD百分位数均值为4.22（标准差SD=2.85），感知运动能力均值为3.52（标准差SD=0.30）。与低低组相比，高高组的日均身体活动水平更高（均值为48.39±2.03）、身体质量指数（BMI, Body Mass Index）更低（均值为18.13±0.43；低低组的日均中等至剧烈身体活动量均值为37.93±2.01，BMI均值为20.22±0.42）。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均值为19.49±0.46，与其余两组无显著统计学差异。 结论：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显著相关。因此，建议在儿童健康干预方案中加入可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提升。