Associations of object control motor skill proficiency, game play competence, physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness among primary school children. Issue 2 (17th January 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Miller, Andrew; Eather, Narelle; Duncan, Mitch; Lubans, David Revalds
• Is Part Of: Journal of sports sciences. Volume 37:Issue 2(2019)
• Page Start: 173
• Page End: 179
• Publication Date: 2019-01-17
• Subjects: Manipulative skills -- physical fitness -- movement skills -- motor development -- game play -- sports performance; Sports -- Periodicals; Sports -- Physiological aspects -- Periodicals; Sports -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; 612.044
• DOI: 10.1080/02640414.2018.1488384
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0264-0414

Abstract

ABSTRACT: This study investigated if object control relates to children's game play competence, and examined these competencies as correlates of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness. Game play (Game Performance Assessment Instrument), object control (The Test Gross Motor Development-3), moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (Accelerometry), and cardiorespiratory fitness (20-metre shuttle) assessments were completed for 107 children (57% Female, 43% Male) aged 9–12 years (M 10.53, SD 0.65). Two-level regression of object control on game play competence, and object control and game play competence on physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness assessed associations. Object control competence was positively associated with game play competence (Std. B = 0.25, t (104.77) = 2.38, p = 0.001). Game play competence (Std. B = 0.33, t (99.81) = 5.21, p < 0.000) was more strongly associated with moderate-to-vigorous physical activity than object control competence (Std. B = 0.20, t (106.93) = 2.96, p = 0.003). Likewise, game competence (Std. B = 0.39, t (104.41) = 4.36, p < 0.000) was more strongly associated with cardiorespiratory fitness than object control competence (Std. B = 0.22, t (106.69) = 2.63, p = 0.002). Object control and game competence are both important as correlates of physical activity and cardiorespiratory fitness in children.