A Study Of The Relationship Between Motor Competence,perceived Motor Competence And Physical Activity In Children Aged 9-12 Years At Different Weight States

Purpose: Currently,children and adolescents in China are significantly less physically active,resulting in a serious imbalance between energy intake and consumption.This has led to an increasing problem of overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in China.Motor competence and perceived motor competence are important factors that influence children’s physical activity level and weight status.At present,research on the influence of motor competence and perceived motor competence on physical activity in China is relatively single-perspective,mainly based on "variable-centered" correlation analysis,regression analysis,and path analysis.However,this perspective is based on the assumption of "population homogeneity," which is not consistent with the actual situation.In this study,we divided children aged 9-12 years into several subgroups according to their motor competence and perceived motor competence(e.g.,"high motor competence-high perceived motor competence " group,"overestimated motor competence" group,"underestimated motor competence" group,and "underestimated motor competence" group).We explored the physical activity characteristics of different groups based on the heterogeneity of the overweight and obese groups,with the aim of providing a reference for the development of physical activity promotion programs for children.The purpose of this study was to explore the physical activity characteristics of different groups based on the heterogeneity of the overweight and obese groups.Methods: In this paper,a total of 342 children aged 9-12 years old were selected as subjects using the methods of literature,measurement,and mathematical statistics.Their weight status,motor competence,perceived motor competence,and physical activity were measured using a portable height and weight instrument,Canadian Agility and Movement Skill Assessment,the Child Self-Perception Scale developed by Harter,and a pedometer.The children’s physical activity data were analyzed using Polynomial Regression with Response Surface Analysis,based on the congruence of motor competence and perceived motor competence.Results:(1)When motor competence is congruent with perceived motor competence: In normal-weight children,the curvature of the response surface along the line of congruence was not significant(b3+b4+b5=0.09,P>0.05),while the slope was significantly positive(b1+b2=0.50,P<0.05).In overweight/obese children,the curvature of the response surface along the LOC was not significant(b3+b4+b5=0.01,P>0.05),while the slope was significantly positive(b1+b2=0.59,P<0.05).This suggests that children with "high motor competence-high perceived motor competence" have higher physical activity levels than those with "low motor competence-low perceived motor competence" regardless of weight status.(2)When motor competence is incongruent with perceived motor competence: In normal-weight children,the curvature of the response surface along the line of incongruence was not significant(b3-b4+b5=0.07,P>0.05),while the slope was significantly negative(b1-b2=-0.19,P<0.05),indicating that children with "overestimated motor competence" had higher levels of physical activity than those with "underestimated motor competence".In overweight/obese children,because the slope of the response surface along the LOIC was not significant(b1-b2=0.09,P>0.05),but the curvature was significantly negative(b3-b4+b5=-0.58,P<0.05),a Z-Hat test was conducted and found that there was no difference in physical activity levels between the "underestimated motor competence" and "overestimated motor competence" children.Conclusion:Having a higher level of motor competence and perceived motor competence is of great value in promoting physical activity behavior in children with different weight statuses.Normal-weight children with "overestimated motor competence" had higher physical activity levels,but overweight and obese children with "overestimated motor competence" had insufficient physical activity.Children who "underestimated motor competence" had inadequate levels of physical activity regardless of their weight status.In conclusion,the idea that a single variable affects physical activity should be challenged,and emphasis should be placed on exploring the promoting mechanism of physical activity in children of different weight statuses from a matching perspective.