G5 Doctoral dissertation (article)
Developmental associations of physical activity, motor competence, perceived motor competence, health-related fitness, and weight status through adolescence : a 4-year follow-up study (2024)
Fyysisen aktiivisuuden, motorisen pätevyyden, koetun motorisen pätevyyden, fyysisen kunnon ja painon kehitys ja yhteydet murrosiässä : 4 vuoden seurantatutkimus

Kolunsarka, I. (2024). Developmental associations of physical activity, motor competence, perceived motor competence, health-related fitness, and weight status through adolescence : a 4-year follow-up study [Doctoral dissertation]. University of Jyväskylä. JYU dissertations, 747. http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-39-9918-6

JYU authors or editors

Publication details

All authors or editors: Kolunsarka, Iiris

eISBN: 978-951-39-9918-6

Journal or series: JYU dissertations

eISSN: 2489-9003

Publication year: 2024

Number in series: 747

Number of pages in the book: 1 verkkoaineisto (121 sivua, 39 sivua useina numerointijaksoina, 49 numeroimatonta sivua)

Publisher: University of Jyväskylä

Publication country: Finland

Publication language: English

Persistent website address: http://urn.fi/URN:ISBN:978-951-39-9918-6

Publication open access: Openly available

Publication channel open access: Open Access channel

Abstract

This dissertation investigated longitudinal associations among five variables: motor competence (assessed using the 5-leaps, throw-catch combination, and KTK subtests), perceived motor competence (assessed using a perceived sport competence questionnaire), health-related fitness (measured via the 20-meter shuttle run and push-up tests), physical activity (monitored with accelerometers), and body mass index (BMI) across the transition from early to middle adolescence, with participation in organized sports as a potential confounding factor. This dissertation consists of four original articles (I-IV) and a summary section. The data were collected from various regions in Finland over the period 2017 to 2021. The initial study population comprised 1 167 Finnish 5th grade students who were 11 years old in 2017. The conceptual model proposed by Stodden et al. (2008) served as the theoretical framework. The four studies applied advanced statistical methods, including latent growth curve, transition, and profile analyses. Study I revealed significant intra- and inter-individual variance in all five key variables. The results showed that a larger increase in BMI was correlated with a greater decline in MVPA and fewer improvements in cardiorespiratory fitness. Study II revealed relatively stable and distinct profiles among adolescents based on the five key variables. The adolescents in the different profiles shared similar characteristics, such as high actual and perceived competence, fitness, and physical activity. Study III showed over time that the adolescents exhibited varying levels of motor competence and that lower motor competence was associated with lower cardiorespiratory fitness and physical activity. Study IV found that dropout from organized sports was associated with a plateau in health-related fitness, emphasizing the importance of continued participation in physical activity. The overall findings offer valuable longitudinal insights into the interaction of variables closely associated with physical activity and physical health during adolescence. They provide a foundation for developing strategies to promote physical activity, improve fitness, and prevent overweight and obesity during this crucial stage of development.

Keywords: puberty; physical development; physical fitness; endurance; muscle fitness; motor skills (general); body composition; physical activity; physical training; physical hobbies; self image; follow-up study; doctoral dissertations

Contributing organizations

Ministry reporting: Yes

VIRTA submission year: 2024