Relationship between Organized Physical Activity and Motor Competence in Teenagers

It is not clear if the association between motor competence (MC) and organized physical activity (OPA) in teenagers and if it depends on the gender. The purpose of this study was to investigate relationship between MC and OPA by gender. Participants, 29 male (19.3±1.3 years) and 38 female (19.0±1.2 years) were assessed by the BOT-2 brief form and by a retrospective questionnaire of the OPA. Males had superior performance in body coordination, strength, agility, and the general motor competence. There were no significant differences between genders in the time spent in OPA; there was a positive and low correlation between MC and OPA, but the correlation showed stronger values only for females. OPA seems to be an enabling environment for the acquisition and development of motor skills that provide the foundation for engagement and motor competence, but gender is an interaction variable.