Search Results (24)

Strong competencies in actual motor competence (AMC) and perceived motor competence (PMC) support lifelong physical activity. However, assessing MC is time-consuming, requiring multiple AMC and PMC evaluations. Streamlining these assessments would improve efficiency at a national level. This study used machine learning (ML) classification to (1) identify AMC assessments that can be accurately predicted in an Irish context using other AMC and PMC assessments, and (2) examine prediction accuracy differences between genders. AMC was measured using the Test of Gross Motor Development (3rd Edition) and the Victorian Fundamental Motor Skills Manual, while PMC was assessed with the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Movement Skill Competence. Five ML classification models were trained and tested on an Irish MC dataset (n = 2098, mean age 9.2 ± 2.04) to predict distinct AMC assessment outcomes. The highest prediction accuracies (>85%) were found for the Catch (female and gender-combined subsets) and Bounce (male subset) AMC assessments. These assessments could potentially be removed from the current Irish testing battery for their respective gender groups. Our findings highlight the effectiveness of ML classification in optimising Irish MC assessment procedures, reducing redundancy, and enhancing efficiency. Full article

Objective: Motor competence development from early to middle childhood is accompanied by great variance. This course can be influenced by many factors in the ecosystem. The objective of this study was to examine which individual characteristics are associated with an undesirable motor competence development during the transition from early to middle childhood. Methods: A longitudinal study was conducted between February 2020 and May 2022. Actual and perceived motor competence and the potential determinants physical activity enjoyment, weight status, and organized sports participation of children (49% boys) aged 4–6 years old at T0 (N = 721) were measured at two points in time, separated by a two-year interval. Associations between potential determinants and AMC, including interactions with time, were analyzed using linear mixed-effect regression models with continuous motor quotient scores as outcome variables. Results: Overweight, obesity, and lack of organized sports participation were associated with lower motor quotient scores over time. Multivariate analyses showed that associations of weight status (overweight and obesity) and sports participation with motor quotient scores remained significant after adjustment for variations in perceived motor competence and physical activity enjoyment. Conclusions: Excessive body weight and lack of sports participation from early childhood are associated with an increased risk of an undesirable motor competence development over time. Full article

The objective of this study was to examine the effect of a training program utilizing action perception technology (PAD) tools on improving the motor reaction times and neuromuscular capabilities of the upper and lower limbs compared to a traditional training program. Twenty-four female volleyball players competing in the Italian national championship were randomized into two groups of 12 athletes each: an experimental group (EG) and a control group (CG). A preliminary analysis confirmed the absence of significant differences in age and anthropometric characteristics between the groups. All the players underwent an initial battery of tests (pre-test), including Reaction Time simple Upper and Lower Limb (RTsUL and RTsLL) and Tapping Upper and Lower Limb (TUL and TLL). During a 6-week training program, the experimental group used exercises with a technological system of illuminated disks, while the control group followed the traditional training methods without advanced technology. At the end of the program, both groups were subjected to final tests (post-test). The main results show that after 6 weeks, both groups improved their performance compared to the initial tests. However, EG achieved significantly better results than CG in every test, with significant reductions in average times (ip%) of −14.9% in RTsUL (DX = −0.072 s, t = 23.2, p < 0.05, d = 6.7), −14.9% in RTsLL (DX = −0.091 s, t = 44.0, p < 0.05, d = 12.7), −10.6% in TUL (DX = −0.622 s, t = 42.0, p < 0.05, d = 12.1), and −10.7% in TLL (DX = −0.983 s, t = 43.1, p < 0.05, d = 12.4). The use of light-based perception–action technology devices in volleyball training has shown potential for significantly improving movement speed and reaction time. However, further research is needed to determine whether these improvements actually translate into enhanced overall performance in competitive contexts compared to the traditional training methods. Full article

Modified invasion games promote the development of real and perceived motor competence. Children with higher motor competence are more likely to participate in physical activity practice and to remain in it, both in adolescence and adulthood. (1) Background: The purpose of this study is to determine the effect of modified invasion games on the real motor competence and self-assessment of the physical condition fifth-grade students from a private school in Viña del Mar, Chile. (2) Methods: 40 girls and boys with an average age of 11.47 years (SD = 0.554) participated in this study during a 12-week intervention. The MOBAK 5-6 battery was used to assess actual motor competence, the SEMOK questionnaire was used to determine perceived motor competence, the International Fitness Scale (IFIS) self-assessment questionnaire was used to assess perceived physical fitness, and the weight/size ratio was used to determine BMI. A Friedman’s nonparametric ANOVA analysis was applied to determine the effect of the intervention, in addition to an analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) to identify the influence of the covariates on motor competence. (3) Results: No statistically significant differences were established between weight, BMI, and waist circumference. There was a statistically significant difference after the intervention in the actual motor competence of object control (p = 0.005) and perceived motor competence of object control (p ≤ 0.001) (4) Conclusions: An intervention based on modified invasion games is effective for the improvement of actual and perceived motor competence of object control. It was not possible to identify a positive effect on the self-assessment of muscle strength after the intervention. Full article

The promotion of regular physical activity (PA) is becoming one of the main tools applied in developed countries to address health and obesity problems, particularly in view of the proven benefits of PA on a physical, psychological, and social level. Indeed, childhood and adolescence are crucial periods for an active lifestyle can be established, with the prospect of prolonging it in adulthood. The conceptual model propounded by Stodden provides a theoretical underpinning for the relationship between motor competence (MC) and PA. This study’s objective was to explore the predictive value of motor competence (MC) regarding physical activity (PA), along with the mediating role played by self-perceived motor competence (SPMC) and comparatively perceived motor competence (CPMC), with the purpose of confirming the theoretical model propounded by Stodden, as well as the relationships among variables in our own conceptual model. To this end, we tested a random sample of 925 adolescents (53.6% males; 46.3% females, age 13.75 years, SD = 1.28). Participants completed the Multidimensional Sportcomp Battery to evaluate MC and the Achievement Motivation in Physical Education test (AMPET4) to evaluate their perception of their competence; moreover, to evaluate PA, we used three indicators from the WHO Health Behaviour in Schoolchildren survey in the Spanish version. Our final theoretical model explains 19.9% of the variance of sport practice in boys and 24.2% in girls; moreover, it ascribes an important role to self-perceived motor competence (SPMC) and to comparatively perceived motor competence (CPMC) as mediating variables in the relationship between MC and PA in both sexes. Notably, we found a direct relationship between motor coordination/control tests and PA. Overall, this study underscores the degree to which adolescents’ perceived motor competence affects their actual motor competence. Full article

A personal-computer-based and a Raspberry Pi single-board computer-based virtual force sensor with EtherCAT communication for a six-axis robotic arm are proposed in this paper. Both traditional mathematical modeling and machine learning techniques are used in the establishment of the dynamic model of the robotic arm. Thanks to the high updating rate of EtherCAT, the machine learning-based dynamic model on a personal computer achieved an average correlation coefficient between the estimated torque and the actual torque feedback from the motor driver of about 0.99. The dynamic model created using traditional mathematical modeling and the Raspberry Pi single-board computer demonstrates an approximate correlation coefficient of 0.988 between the estimated torque and the actual torque. The external torque observer is established by calculating the difference between the actual torque and the estimated torque, and the virtual force sensor converts the externally applied torques calculated for each axis to the end effector of the robotic arm. When detecting external forces applied to the end effector, the virtual force sensor demonstrates a correlation coefficient of 0.75 and a Root Mean Square Error of 12.93 N, proving its fundamental competence for force measurement. In this paper, both the external torque observer and the virtual force control are applied to applications related to sensing external forces of the robotic arm. The external torque observer is utilized in the safety collision detection mechanism. Based on experimental results, the system can halt the motion of the robotic arm using the minimum external force that the human body can endure, thereby ensuring the operator’s safety. The virtual force control is utilized to implement a position and force hybrid controller. The experimental results demonstrate that, under identical control conditions, the position and force hybrid controller established by the Raspberry Pi single-board computer achieves superior control outcomes in a constant force control scenario with a pressure of 40 N. The average absolute error is 9.62 N, and the root mean square error is 11.16 N when compared to the target pressure. From the analysis of the results, it can be concluded that the Raspberry Pi system implemented in this paper can achieve a higher control command update rate compared to personal computers. As a result, it can provide greater control benefits in position and force hybrid control. Full article

Motor imagery (MI) is a technique of imagining the performance of a motor task without actually using the muscles. When employed in a brain–computer interface (BCI) supported by electroencephalographic (EEG) sensors, it can be used as a successful method of human–computer interaction. In this paper, the performance of six different classifiers, namely linear discriminant analysis (LDA), support vector machine (SVM), random forest (RF), and three classifiers from the family of convolutional neural networks (CNN), is evaluated using EEG MI datasets. The study investigates the effectiveness of these classifiers on MI, guided by a static visual cue, dynamic visual guidance, and a combination of dynamic visual and vibrotactile (somatosensory) guidance. The effect of filtering passband during data preprocessing was also investigated. The results show that the ResNet-based CNN significantly outperforms the competing classifiers on both vibrotactile and visually guided data when detecting different directions of MI. Preprocessing the data using low-frequency signal features proves to be a better solution to achieve higher classification accuracy. It has also been shown that vibrotactile guidance has a significant impact on classification accuracy, with the associated improvement particularly evident for architecturally simpler classifiers. These findings have important implications for the development of EEG-based BCIs, as they provide valuable insight into the suitability of different classifiers for different contexts of use. Full article

(1) Background: the measures applied in Chile to reduce COVID-19 infections have been very strict, mainly for children who have experienced lockdowns and school closures for almost two years. Emerging evidence indicates that lockdowns have had several negative effects on children; therefore, the present study seeks to analyze the secular effects of COVID-19 lockdowns on Chilean students’ actual motor competence (AMC) and perceived motor competence (PMC). (2) Methods: using a sequential cohort design, data from 523 fifth-grade students at nine elementary schools (46.8% girls, age M = 11.11, SD = 0.66) were assessed in 2018–19 (pre-lockdown) (n = 265) and 2022 (post-lockdown) (n = 258). (3) Results: in the domain of object control (AMC and PMC), no significant differences were found (AMC p = 0.559; PMC p = 0.682). In the self-movement domain of AMC and PMC, the significant differences found presented a small effect size (AMC p = 0.044, η_p² = 0.01; PMC p = 0.001, η_p² = 0.03). (4) Conclusions: although the differences encountered were not drastic, self-movement skills tended to be greatly affected by the lockdowns resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic. These findings broaden information on the negative consequences of the pandemic on students in aspects related to an active and healthy life. Full article

As children’s actual aquatic skills are important for the prevention of drowning as well as their engagement in lifelong aquatic physical activity, researchers and practitioners should be able to assess this vital concept accurately and reliably. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the inter-rater and intra-rater reliability of the Actual Aquatic Skills Test (AAST), consisting of 17 different test items for the assessment of young children’s motor competence in the water. Six raters received a training and evaluation session on scoring the AAST, after which five of them assessed four test videos (of various children (n = 38) performing the test items) twice, with one to two weeks in between (i.e., test and re-test). Inter-rater and intra-rater reliability were determined per test video and for the different AAST test items across videos using Gwet’s Agreement Coefficient 2 (Gwet’s AC2). The Gwet’s AC2 for inter-rater reliability at the test varied from 0.414 to 1.000, indicating a moderate to perfect agreement between raters. For intra-rater reliability, it ranged from 0.628 to 1.000, demonstrating a good to perfect agreement between test and re-test scoring. In conclusion, the AAST is a promising tool to reliably assess young children’s actual aquatic skills in an indoor swimming pool. Full article

Environments lacking in stimuli together with ineffective physical education programs can lead to motor illiteracy, causing several adverse effects that could be worsened by unhealthy weight conditions (e.g., obesity). Obesity can be seen as an actual barrier for children and adolescents, especially for affective, behavioral, physical, and cognitive domains. In this context, condensing what the literature proposes could be useful in order to improve the understanding of the best intervention strategies (i.e., proper physical education programs) to manage the adverse effects of motor illiteracy in relation to the obesity barrier. The purpose of this narrative review is to improve the understanding on how physical education programs can counteract the adverse effects of physical illiteracy and obesity barrier across childhood and adolescence. Proper physical education programs should develop motor competence by fostering an individual’s awareness, self-perception, autonomous motivation, and muscular fitness on a realistic scenario (functional task difficulty related to his/her possibilities) in the attempt to counteract the adverse effects of the obesity barrier. Such programs should be designed without overlooking a proper multi teaching style approach. Full article

The goal of swimming school during early school age is to promote physical literacy. According to linear or non-linear pedagogy, a linear or non-linear approach teaching style can be used. The aim of our study was to investigate whether a different teaching methodology, as in using a teacher-centered approach (linear pedagogy), or a student-centered approach (non-linear pedagogy), could differently influence the perceptions of aquatic activity of children and parents. Parents of 100 children (53 females and 47 males, age 5.9 ± 0.3 years old) participating in the study were previously interviewed to ascertain their expectations regarding the swimming course. Participants were in a medium-high social context. Subsequently, considering the data of the incoming aquatic motor competence’s tests, children were divided into a linear (LI) and non-linear (NL) pedagogy group. A total of 4 instructors were enrolled. Upon completing the swimming course, the aquatic motor competence’s test was repeated, a pictorial scale of perceived motor competence was administered, and a questionnaire regarding the course was proposed to children’s parents. Physical development and learn to swim resulted two of the most important reasons leading parents to choose swimming courses. LI achieved greater progress than the NL in actual motor competence (A.M.C.), while NL perceived a higher aquatic motor competence (P.M.C.) in 7 out of 10 items of the pictorial scale. Parents of children in LI, gave greater importance to the teacher’s role, while NL’s parents pointed the acquisition of children’s abilities as pivotal. In conclusion, NL approach was more appreciated by children, while LI method was more rewarding for parents because initial expectations were satisfied. Full article

Unhealthy-weight status may represent a precursor of poor actual (AMC) (i.e., process- and product-oriented) and perceived (PMC) motor competence. AMC and PMC represent key elements favoring long-term commitment in sports and day-to-day life physical activity. In fact, the development of AMC and PMC during the primary school years could help to counteract weight-related negative effects (i.e., overweight or obesity) that are responsible for sedentary or unhealthy behavior across the life span. Therefore, this review aimed to provide a synopsis of the current research investigating the relation of AMC and PMC with weight status and in the context of potential gender differences. Systematic research in five electronic databases (PubMed, Web of Science, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus) was conducted from April 2021 to May 2021 in compliance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies were included if they involved obese or overweight youth (6–10 years) with no physical or cognitive impairment and used a longitudinal or a cross-sectional assessment of motor competence and perceived motor competence outcomes. After the selection process and after duplicates were removed, the final sample included 27 studies. Most of the studies reported that AMC and PMC are negatively associated with weight status, with male and females differing from each other in overall and subtest (locomotor, object control, and stability skills) AMC scores. However, according to a risk of bias assessment, the level of evidence linked to the association of AMC (process and product) and PMC with weight status (BMI) remained uncertain and lacking, respectively. Further high-quality studies are warranted to improve the understanding of AMC and PMC in relation to weight status, which appears to be differently expressed by gender in primary school years. Regardless, based on the current quantitative data, the emerging inverse association between AMC/PMC and weight status implies that it would be best to limit sedentary behavior by including daily lessons in physical education to limit unfavorable conditions (i.e., obesity and overweight) during the school years. Full article

The major purpose of this study was to examine the potential mediating role of perceived motor skill competence on relationships between actual ball skills and children’s physical activity (PA) and PA enjoyment. A total of 294 students (M_age = 10.96 ± 0.76; 51.7% boys) from three elementary schools completed validated questionnaires assessing their perceived competence, self-reported PA, and PA enjoyment. Students’ actual ball skills (i.e., basketball, overhand throwing, striking) were measured by PE Metrics^TM. Correlation analyses showed positive relationships among the study variables (rs ranging from 0.12 to 0.56). The structural equation modeling (SEM) analyses demonstrated that the mediation model produces a goodness-of-fit to the data: χ²/df = 52.03/32; CFI = 0.96; NFI = 0.90; IFI = 0.96, RMSEA = 0.05, SRMR = 0.04. Path coefficients suggested that actual ball skill competence was strongly associated with perceived competence (β = 0.36, p < 0.01), which in turn significantly predicted PA (β = 0.29, p < 0.01) and PA enjoyment (β = 0.35, p < 0.01). The findings highlight that ball skills significantly impact students’ perceived competence, positively and indirectly affecting their PA and PA enjoyment. This study provides empirical evidence that recommends intervention strategies aimed at fostering elementary school students’ PA and PA enjoyment. Full article

(1) Background: This study aimed to examine the role of social support in the relationship between perceived motor competence (MC) and physical activity (PA), according to the conceptual model of Motor Development. (2) Methods: Participants were 518 students (46.5% girls), 8–12 years old. By using a structural equation modeling approach, path analysis was used to test the actual-perceived MC relationship and the mediating influence of social support on the perceived MC–PA relationship. Analyses were done with age and sex as covariates. (3) Results: The results showed a good model fit (CFI = 0.98; RMSEA = 0.07; SRMR = 0.02), where actual MC was positively associated with perceived MC (ß = 0.26, p < 0.001), which in turn was positively related to social support (ß = 0.34, p < 0.001). The model showed the direct social support-PA path (ß = 0.42, p < 0.001) and the indirect path from perceived MC through social support to PA (ß = 0.14, p < 0.001). (4) Conclusions: This study confirms that social support mediates the perceived MC–PA relationship. As such, it is not only important to build and develop children’s actual and perceived MC, but also to promote social support for PA engagement. Full article

This study aimed (1) to identify profiles in children based on actual motor competence (AMC), perceived motor competence (PMC), and organized sports participation (OSP), and (2) to examine differences among these profiles in weight status as well as autonomous motivation towards sports. Children’s (N = 206; 112 boys; M_age = 10.83 ± 0.92 years) AMC, PMC, OSP, weight status, and autonomous motivation towards sports were measured using validated assessment tools. Cluster analyses identified three profiles with completely convergent levels of AMC, PMC, and OSP and three profiles with partially convergent levels. Children in the convergent profiles with average to high levels of AMC, PMC, and OSP had the most optimal profile, as they combined a healthier weight status with elevated levels of autonomous motivation, while the opposite was true for children with low levels on all three cluster-variables. Partially convergent profiles showed that AMC and PMC appear crucial for weight status, as profiles with relatively low levels of AMC and PMC had the highest weight status, independent of their OSP levels. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of promoting AMC, PMC, and OSP simultaneously to help children in achieving a healthy weight status and being autonomously motivated towards OSP. Full article