title: Motor Skill Competence and Perceived Motor Competence: Which Best Predicts Physical Activity among Girls?
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The main purpose of this study was to determine which correlate, perceived motor competence or motor skill competence, best predicts girls' physical activity behavior.
  
  
  METHODS
  A sample of 352 girls (mean age=8.7, SD=0.3 yr) participated in this study. To assess motor skill competence and perceived motor competence, each child completed the Test of Gross Motor Development-2 and Physical Ability sub-scale of Marsh's Self-Description Questionnaire. Children's physical activity was assessed by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children. Multiple linear regression model was used to determine whether perceived motor competence or motor skill competence best predicts moderate-to-vigorous self-report physical activity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Multiple regression analysis indicated that motor skill competence and perceived motor competence predicted 21% variance in physical activity (R(2)=0.21, F=48.9, P=0.001), and motor skill competence (R(2)=0.15, ᵝ=0.33, P= 0.001) resulted in more variance than perceived motor competence (R(2)=0.06, ᵝ=0.25, P=0.001) in physical activity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results revealed motor skill competence had more influence in comparison with perceived motor competence on physical activity level. We suggest interventional programs based on motor skill competence and perceived motor competence should be administered or implemented to promote physical activity in young girls.
authors.affiliation: 1. Dept. of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University , Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Zeinab
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Khodaverdi
authors.affiliation: 1. Dept. of Motor Behavior, Faculty of Physical Education and Sport Sciences, Kharazmi University , Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bahram
authors.affiliation: 2. Dept. of Physical Education and Sport Science, Faculty of Humanities, Arak University , Arak, Iran.
authors.forename: Hassan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Khalaji
authors.affiliation: 3. Dept. of Biostatistics, Faculty of Medicine, Tarbait Modarres University , Tehran, Iran.
authors.forename: Anoshirvan
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kazemnejad
keywords: Motor skill competence; Perceived motor competence; Physical activity