title: Association between sports participation, motor competence and weight status: A longitudinal study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to investigate if baseline motor competence, weight status and sports participation in early childhood predict sports participation two years later.
  
  
  METHODS
  longitudinal study.
  
  
  METHODS
  In 2010, motor competence (object control and locomotor skills), weight status and sports participation were assessed in 292 children between three and five years-of-age. In 2012, sports participation was re-evaluated in 206 of the original 292 children. Logistic regression was implemented to examine if initial sports participation, motor competence and weight status would predict sports participation two years later.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the final model, sports participation in 2010 (OR=9.68, CI: 3.46 to 27.13) and locomotor skills (OR=1.21, CI: 1.01 to 1.46) significantly predicted sports participation after two years.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results suggest that initial sports participation and more advanced locomotor skills in preschool years may be important to promote continued participation in sports across childhood.
authors.affiliation: Higher School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Brazil. Electronic address: rdshenrique@hotmail.com.
authors.forename: Rafael S
authors.initials: RS
authors.lastname: Henrique
authors.affiliation: School of Arts, Sciences and Humanities-EACH/USP, University of São Paulo, Brazil.
authors.forename: Alessandro H N
authors.initials: AH
authors.lastname: Ré
authors.affiliation: Department of Physical Education and Athletic Training, Blatt Physical Education Center, University of South Carolina, USA.
authors.forename: David F
authors.initials: DF
authors.lastname: Stodden
authors.affiliation: Exercise and Sports Sciences, Faculty of Science and Information Technology, University of Newcastle, Australia.
authors.forename: Job
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fransen
authors.affiliation: Higher School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Carolina M C
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Campos
authors.affiliation: Higher School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Daniel R
authors.initials: DR
authors.lastname: Queiroz
authors.affiliation: Higher School of Physical Education, University of Pernambuco, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria T
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Cattuzzo
mesh_terms: D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D001938:Brazil; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015444:Exercise; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D009048:Motor Skills / Q000145:classification*; D013177:Sports
keywords: Body mass index; Child; Motor skills; Sports