The social pillar of physical literacy: A domain‐specific mediation analysis between motor competence and physical activity in adolescents

Motor competence (MC) and physical literacy (PL) are associated with physical activity (PA) during adolescence, but the processes underlying this relationship remain unclear. This cross-sectional study examined whether perceived PL was associated with the relationship between MC and PA and whether this indirect association differed by sex. A total of 273 Spanish adolescents aged 12-17 years (46.9% girls) participated. MC was assessed using the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency Short Form, PA using the Youth Activity Profile and perceived PL using the Spanish Physical Literacy Perception Instrument. Analyses adjusted for biological maturation, body mass index and socioeconomic status indicated a significant indirect association between MC and PA through perceived PL, whereas the direct association was not significant after adjustment. Only the social domain of perceived PL showed a significant indirect association, with no evidence of sex differences.