title: Associations between young children's perceived and actual ball skill competence and physical activity.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The relationship between actual and perceived object control competence (ball skills) and the contribution to young children's physical activity is not known.
  
  
  METHODS
  Cross sectional study.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Test Gross Motor Development-2 assessed actual object control competence and a modified version of the Pictorial Scale of Perceived Competence and Social Acceptance for Young Children assessed perceived object control competence. Moderate- to vigorous-intensity physical activity was measured via accelerometry. Three mixed regression models were performed: (i) object control competence as the predictor and the outcome as perceived object control, (ii) perceived object control competence as the predictor and the outcome moderate to vigorous physical activity and (iii) actual object control as the predictor and the outcome moderate to vigorous physical activity. Models adjusted for school clustering, monitor wear time, sex and age. Interactions between respective predictor variables and sex were performed if warranted. A total of 102 children (56% boys, 44% girls) aged 4-8 years (M 6.3, SD 0.92) completed assessments.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Girls had lower perceived and actual object control competence and were less active than boys. Actual object control competence was positively associated with perceived object control competence (B=0.11, t(96)=2.25, p<0.001, p=0.027) and this relationship did not differ by sex (p=0.449); however, neither actual (p=0.092) nor perceived object control competence (p=0.827) were associated with moderate to vigorous physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Young children's perceived ball skill abilities appear to relate to actual competence; however, these measures were not associated with physical activity. In older children, object control skill is associated with physical activity so targeting young children's object control skills is an intervention priority.
authors.affiliation: School of Health and Social Development, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia. Electronic address: lisa.barnett@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Lisa M
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Barnett
authors.affiliation: Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia. Electronic address: nicky.ridgers@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Nicola D
authors.initials: ND
authors.lastname: Ridgers
authors.affiliation: Centre for Physical Activity and Nutrition Research, School of Exercise and Nutrition, Deakin University, Burwood, Australia. Electronic address: jo.salmon@deakin.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jo
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Salmon
mesh_terms: D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D015444:Exercise / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills; D010465:Perception; D002666:Psychology, Child; D012727:Sex Characteristics
keywords: Manipulative skills; Object control skill; Physical activity; Physical self perception