Nancy Ramirez
Pronouns: She/Her
Research Mentor(s): Leah Robinson
Research Mentor School/College/Department: Kinesiology / Kinesiology
Program: UROPF
Session: Session 4 (1:40pm – 2:30pm)
Authors: Nancy Ramirez, Daley Fitzpatrick , Kara Palmer, Maria Enid, Aaron Wood, Leah Robinson
Abstract
Two important health constructs in children are perceived motor competence (how a child thinks they move) and fitness (physical capacity to move). While there is evidence to support these constructs are related to motor competence and physical activity, less is known about how perceived motor competence and fitness relate to each other. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between perceived competence (physical competence and perceived motor competence) and fitness (aerobic fitness and muscular fitness) in young children. Kindergarten through second grade students (n=97; 40 boys; Mage= 6.1 ± 0.9 years) from local after-school programs were recruited. Children’s perceived physical competence was measured using the physical subtest of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children (Harter & Pike, 1984), and perceived motor competence was measured using the Digital Scale of Perceived Motor Competence (Robinson & Palmer 2021). Aerobic fitness was measured using a 6-minute walk test, and muscular fitness was measured using a hand grip dynamometer test. Perceived competence and fitness measures were completed within one week. Pearson’s correlations were used to examine relationships between perceived competence and fitness. Data were analyzed in SPSS v 27. Results showed a small positive correlation between perceived physical competence and aerobic fitness (r=0.31, p<0.05) and a negligible correlation between perceived locomotor competence and muscular fitness (r=0.27, p<0.05). Results show limited evidence for a relationship between perceived competence and fitness.
