This study compared performances and motor delay classifications for the Test of Gross Motor Development-2nd edition (TGMD-2) and the Körperkoordinationstest Für Kinder (KTK) in a sample of 424 healthy children (47% girls) between 5 and 10 years of age. Low-to-moderate correlations (r range = 0.34–0.52) were found between assessments across age. In general, both boys and girls demonstrated higher raw scores across age groups. However, percentile scores indicated younger children outperformed older children, denoting a normative percentile-based decrease in motor competence (MC) in the older age groups. In total, the TGMD-2 and KTK classified 39.4% and 18.4% children, respectively, as demonstrating very low MC (percentile ≤5). In conclusion, the TGMD-2 classified significantly more children with motor delays than the KTK and the differences between children’s motor skill classification levels by these assessments became greater as the age groups increased. Therefore, the TGMD-2 may demonstrate more susceptibility to sociocultural influences and be more influenced by cumulative motor experiences throughout childhood. Low-to-moderate correlations between assessments also suggest the TGMD-2 and KTK may measure different aspects of MC. As such, it may be important to use multiple assessments to comprehensively assess motor competence.

OBJETIVO Sintetizar as evidências de estudos que analisaram as associações entre comportamento sedentário e competência motora em crianças e adolescentes. MÉTODOS Revisão sistemática de artigos originais que analisaram possíveis associações entre comportamento sedentário e competência motora em crianças e adolescentes (3–18 anos de idade), sem restrições quanto ao delineamento de estudo, instrumentos e protocolos de análise. Os artigos foram identificados por meio de buscas nas bases PubMed, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, Cinahl, Medline e SPORTDiscus, assim como em listas de referências. O nível de evidência foi avaliado de acordo com a quantidade de estudos que reportaram significância estatística nas associações entre as variáveis e a qualidade dos artigos (o risco de viés). RESULTADOS De 2.462 estudos iniciais, 22 compuseram a síntese (duas intervenções, nove longitudinais e onze transversais). Desses, em 13 foram observadas associações negativas entre as variáveis, mais frequentemente na faixa etária de sete a catorze anos. Na análise do risco de viés, as principais limitações dos estudos foram “amostragens por conveniência” e “não descrição do dimensionamento amostral”. CONCLUSÕES A evidência disponível sugere que o comportamento sedentário está negativamente associado à competência motora em crianças do ensino fundamental, embora a evidência seja incerta nos anos pré-escolares; a síntese de resultados dos estudos longitudinais sugere que o comportamento sedentário afeta negativamente o desenvolvimento da competência motora. É importante que futuros estudos tenham maior controle sobre os determinantes socioculturais e aprofundem os conhecimentos em relação ao sexo e à faixa etária, assim como dos métodos e indicadores utilizados para avaliação das duas variáveis.

This study examined the relative contribution of age, stage of puberty, anthropometric characteristics, health-related fitness, soccer-specific tests and match-related technical performance to variance in involvements with the ball during recreational 5-a-side small-sided (32 × 15 m) soccer matches. Using a cross-sectional design, 80 healthy male students (14.6 ± 0.5 years of age; range 13.6–15.4) who played soccer recreationally were randomly divided into 10 teams and played against each other. Measurements included height, body mass, pubertal status, health-related fitness (12-min walk/run test, standing long jump, 15-m sprint and sit-ups in 30 s), soccer-specific tests (kicking for speed, passing for accuracy and agility run with and without a ball), match-related technical performance (kicks, passes and dribbles) and involvements with the ball during matches. Forward multiple regression analysis revealed that cardiorespiratory fitness (12-min walk/run test) accounted for 36% of the variance in involvements with the ball. When agility with the ball (zigzag running) and power (standing long jump) were included among the predictors, the total explained variance increased to 62%. In conclusion, recreational adolescent players, regardless of their soccer-specific skills, may increase participation in soccer matches most through physical activities that promote improvement in cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle power and agility.