The Relationship Between Motor Skills and Physical Activity Levels of the Children at 8-10 Years of Age

Abstract

The aim of this study is to determine the physical activity levels (PAL) and motor skills (MS) of children aged 8-10, and toinvestigate the relationship of MS and PAL with body mass index (BMI). A total of 245 (female = 126, male = 119) volunteersaged 8-10 years participated in the study. The PALs of the participants were evaluated by Physical Activity Questionnaire forOlder Children (PAQ-C). Gross motor skills of the participants, which is the total value of object control (OC) and locomotor(LOCO) skills were tested by means of Test of Gross Motor Development (TGMD-2) and BMIs were determined by [weight (kg)/ height (m2)] formula. Pearson Correlation Analysis was used to investigate the relationships between PAL, BMI and MS. Anegative correlation was found between BMI and MS in girls. On the other hand, it was also determined that LOCO skills ofboys increased as their PALs increased while girls’ OC skills increased as their PALs increased (p