Association between Physical Activity and Motor Proficiency among Primary School Children

Self-reported instruments have suggested that physical activity correlates with motor proficiency in children. However, due to inherent biases and low accuracy of self-reported instruments, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between objectively measured physical activity (via accelerometer) and motor proficiency in children. This study is a descriptive-correlational investigation involving 384 children (comprising 192 boys and 192 girls), aged 7 to 9 years (with a mean age of 7.96±0.73 years). These participants were in the first and second grades from regular primary schools in Tehran, Iran, during 2022, and were selected through a convenience sampling method. We employed the ActiGraph wGT3X-BT accelerometer for an objective measurement of physical activity. The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency’s short form was used to evaluate the children’s motor proficiency. Data were analyzed using Independent t-test, Pearson correlation test, and multiple linear regression analysis. The children did not meet the WHO guidelines recommending 60 minutes of moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) per day. Boys had significantly more MVPA than girls (P<0.001). The results revealed that sedentary time had a significant inverse relationship with both gross (r=-0.681, P<0.001) and fine (r=-0.584, P<0.001) motor skills. Moreover, objectively measured physical activity (via accelerometer) showed a direct and significant correlation with gross motor skills (r=0.710, P<0.001), but not with fine motor skills (r=0.064, P=0.307). Sedentary time significantly and inversely impacted both gross (β=-0.68) and fine motor skills (β=-0.58). Furthermore, objective physical activity (measured by accelerometer) had a direct and significant impact on gross motor skills (β=0.71). These findings underscore the necessity to enhance the level of physical activity in children, particularly in girls. We also recommend that physical education teachers and sports coaches incorporate programs in their physical education lessons designed to facilitate motor skills development in children.