A Multimodal Analysis of Physical Factors that Influence Adolescents’ Motor Competence

ABSTRACT

This study analyzed the factorial structure of motor competence tests designed to evaluate motor development among adolescents, focusing on the two main dimensions of coordination and motor control. To this end, we randomly sampled 1,026 adolescents (45.3% males; 45.7% females, age 13.75 years, SD = 1.28). Participants completed the Multidimensional Sportcomp Motor Battery, which features ten motor competence tests. Results indicate that two factors grouped seven of the ten sub-tests related to upper body strength and skill related-fitness. The factorial structure remained stable across age and sex groups, with the exception of manual grip (grip strength) and 7 Meters with Feet Together (jumping) which may relate to a sex-specific evolutionary pattern for upper body force. The Flexibility, Equilibrium and Lateral Jumps tests were not grouped by this factor analysis on any established dimension. These results underscore the multidimensionality of physical factors that influence motor competence among adolescents.

KEYWORDS:

• Test
• motor aptitude
• motor control
• factor analysis
• adolescents

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Gobernement of Aragon [”S57_20R EDUCAVIVA - Research Group].