Exploring the Relationship between Motor Competence with Physical Activity in Children: The Mediating Role of Motivation and Enjoyment

Introduction: The connection between motor competence and participation in physical activities among children is well established; however, the underlying mechanisms of this relationship remain inadequately explored in existing research.
Objective: This study seeks to investigate the roles of motivation and enjoyment as potential mediators in the association between motor competence and engagement in physical activities among young individuals.
Methods: This study utilized a descriptive-correlational methodology, employing structural equation modeling to analyze the data. A total of 183 male participants, aged between 9 and 12 years, were selected through convenience sampling. The Test of Gross Motor Development-Third Edition, accelerometer, The Revised Scale of Sport Motivation and Enjoyment Scale were used to evaluate the research variables, and data analysis was conducted using Smart PLS statistical software version 4, with a significance level established at 0.05.
Results: The path analysis results indicate a significant positive structural relationship between motor competence and physical activity (b=0.622), motivation (b=0.571), and enjoyment (b=0.711). Additionally, the analysis highlights a significant positive correlation between motivation (b=0.475) and enjoyment (b=0.512) in relation to physical activity. Importantly, both motivation (b=0.271) and enjoyment (b=0.364) serve as significant mediating variables in the relationship between motor competence and physical activity.
Conclusion: The results suggest that improved motor skills are linked to higher levels of physical activity, with motivation and enjoyment being crucial factors in this relationship. Consequently, it is recommended that physical education teachers and coaches prioritize sports programs tailored to the motor abilities of children.