Motor and prosocial skills relate to enjoyment and physical activity levels during primary school recess

Children's outdoor play during recess offers important possibilities for meeting physical activity guidelines. Yet, little is known about factors related to children's primary school recess physical activity levels. This cross-sectional study aimed to examine the relations of motor and prosocial skills with recess physical activity levels, and the role of physical activity enjoyment herein. One thousand one hundred and fifty-four Dutch primary school students participated (mean age = 9.0 years, 50.4% boys). Motor skills were assessed with the Athletic Skill Track, prosocial behaviour was measured via teacher-report, and enjoyment was determined using the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale. Accelerometers were used to capture children's light (LPA) and moderate-to-vigorous (MVPA) physical activity during recess (averaged over four recesses). Multilevel structural equation models revealed that motor skills were positively related to MVPA and negatively to LPA, partly via physical activity enjoyment Prosocial skills were positively related to enjoyment, but not to physical activity behaviour. Enjoyment related to LPA, emphasising the importance of enjoyment for recess physical activity levels, Children should have opportunities to engage in a variety of enjoyable recess activities to foster enjoyment. Special attention should be paid to children with lower motor skill levels, who are at risk for lower levels of MVPA.