A hitchhiker's guide to assessing young people's motor competence: Deciding what method to use.

Farid Bardid, Giuseppe Vannozzi, Samuel W Logan, Louise L Hardy, Lisa M Barnett

Journal: Journal of science and medicine in sport 2019;22(3):311-318

PMID: 30166086

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Abstract

OBJECTIVES

To offer a user's guide to select appropriate measures of motor competence for children and adolescents.

DESIGN

Expert consensus among a working group of the International Motor Development Research Consortium (I-MDRC).

METHODS

The guide provides information on objective (motion devices and direct observation) and subjective (self-reports and proxy reports) methods for assessing motor competence among children and adolescents. Key characteristics (age group, sample size, delivery mode, assessment time, data output, data processing) as well as limitations and practical considerations (e.g., cost, sources of error) with regard to each method are included in this paper. We do not recommend specific instruments, rather a guide to assist researchers and practitioners interested in assessing children's motor competence.

RESULTS

A decision flow chart was developed to support practitioners and researchers in selecting appropriate methods for measuring motor competence in young people. Real-life scenarios are presented to illustrate the use of different methods in research and practice.

CONCLUSIONS

Policy makers, practitioners and researchers should consider the strengths and limitations of each method when measuring motor competence in children and adolescents. This will allow them to choose the most appropriate instrument(s) that meets their needs.

Address: School of Education, University of Strathclyde, UK; Department of Movement and Sports Sciences, Ghent University, Belgium. Electronic address: [email protected].; Department of Movement, Human and Health Sciences, University of Rome "Foro Italico", Italy.; College of Public Health and Human Sciences, Oregon State University, USA.; Prevention Research Collaboration, University of Sydney, Australia.; Institute for Physical Activity and Nutrition, School of Health and Social Development, Faculty of Health, Deakin University, Australia.

DOI: 10.1016/j.jsams.2018.08.007

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MeSH Terms: Adolescent, Child, Decision Making, Humans, Motor Skills, Research Design, Self Report, Video Recording, Wearable Electronic Devices