The current study examined associations between gender, perceived athletic competence, and enjoyment of physical education (PE) class over time in a cohort of children enrolled in grade four (ages 9 or 10) at baseline (n = 2262).

Children with developmental coordination disorder (DCD) are less likely to enjoy participating in physical education (PE) than children without motor coordination difficulties. However, no studies have attempted to quantify this relationship or examine potentially modifiable mediating variables. Using a large sample (N = 590) of children (aged 9 to 14), we examine differences in the enjoyment of PE classes between children with DCD and those without using a standardized measure. We also examine whether differences in perceived adequacy towards physical activity, body fat and fitness explain why children with DCD score lower on this scale. Of all these measures, perceived adequacy accounts for the largest proportion of the effect of DCD on enjoyment. Interventions aimed at improving enjoyment of PE for children with DCD should target perceptions of their abilities with regard to physical pursuits.

To validate the Children's Self-Perceptions of Adequacy in, and Predilection for Physical Activity (CSAPPA) scale as a proxy for the BOTMP test in diagnosing DCD. A sample of 209 children (M = 121; F = 87) consented to the BOTMP test, CSAPPA scale, Participation Questionnaire, Léger 20-meter Shuttle Run, and body fat using bioelectric impedance. Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and Kappa statistic were used to validate the CSAPPA scale as a predictor for significant clumsiness on the BOTMP test. Prevalence of DCD was.09 +/-.03 of both males and females, all previously undiagnosed. A positive cutoff of < 47 and < 53 for DCD on the CSAPPA scale was identified in male and females, respectively. Both gender cut-offs demonstrated significant agreement (p <.01) with a positive BOTMP test. Males' results indicated a sensitivity and specificity values of.90 (CI =.18) and.89 (CI =.22). Likewise, the female subject cutoff demonstrated high sensitivity [.88 (CI =.05)] and specificity [75 (CI =.09)]. Gender specific analysis of variance (ANOVA) indicated that students identified as clumsy were not significantly different in age or height from their peers, but demonstrated significantly (p <.01) lower self-efficacy, aerobic fitness, and had significantly (p <.01) higher relative body fat. These results held true for both genders. These findings are consistent with the characteristics of children with DCD. These results suggest that the CSAPPA scale is a promising instrument for use in screening children for developmental coordination disorder.