Associations between motor competence and physical activity, physical fitness, and psychosocial characteristics in adolescents: a meta-analysis

Motor competence (MC) refers to one’s ability to perform a variety of tasks, where outcomes are underpinned by movement quality, control, and coordination. Numerous studies support the hypothesis that MC interacts with perceived MC and physical fitness during childhood to induce positive (e.g., healthy weight status) or negative (e.g., reduced physical activity engagement) trajectories. However, reviews are limited in adolescent populations, where maturation can alter one’s MC. Therefore, it is unclear if the hypothesised interactions of MC continue across adolescence. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the interactions between MC, and physical activity, physical fitness, and psychosocial characteristics in adolescents. METHODS: A systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the updated preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses statement. The protocol was registered on the International prospective register of systematic reviews database (ref: CRD42021233441) and consisted of: 1) database and citation searches; 2) title, abstract and full text screening; 3) data extraction of included studies; 4) study bias assessment; 5) qualitative synthesis of study methods; and 6) quantitative synthesis of MC interactions. RESULTS: A total of 4,654 articles were identified through database and citation searches, and screened to 38 eligible studies. Included studies consisted of a total sample of 16,776 adolescents (mean sample size=436±752; range=22 to 3,683). Twenty-one different assessments of MC were used, with 18 studies utilising product-orientated (i.e., outcome) MC assessments. Meta-analyses of 28 studies showed that MC was positively associated with physical activity (r=0.10 to 0.25), positively associated with physical fitness characteristics (r=0.03 to 0.45) except for weight status (r=-0.37 to -0.15), speed (r =-0.31), agility (r=-0.21 to 0.27), and flexibility (r=-0.07 to 0.24), and was positively associated with psychosocial characteristics (r=0.07 to 0.33). CONCLUSION: Qualitative results showed substantial variance across study methods, and that MC was predominantly assessed either from a product or process (i.e., technique) perspective, which provide a limited overview of an individual’s MC when used individually. Meta-analysis findings support the hypothesised interactions of MC, but there are few longitudinal observations and studies failed to account for how biological maturation impacts such interactions. PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS: Future research is required to assess physical and psychosocial interactions with MC, which should include a combined assessment (i.e., product and process) of MC, longitudinal observations, and account for biological maturation. Improved evaluation using these recommendations could provide more accurate data and lead to more targeted interventions to improve physical and psychosocial outcomes during adolescence.