Physical Activity Enjoyment, Physical Activity Behavior, and Motor Competence in Low-Income Elementary School Students

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between low-income elementary school students’ physical activity enjoyment and physical activity behavior and to determine if their motor competence predicts their physical activity enjoyment and physical activity behavior. A total of 82 students (51.2% male; Mage = 10, SD = 0.861) from two Title I elementary schools in the western United States were involved in this study. The students completed the Physical Activity Enjoyment Scale (PACES), the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Children (PAQ-C), and the Test of Gross Motor Development–Third Edition (TGMD-3). The results of the correlation analysis showed that physical activity enjoyment and physical activity behavior among the students were significantly related, r(80) = 0.379, p < 0.001. Multiple regression models indicated that locomotor skills were a significant predictor of the level of physical activity enjoyment (F(2,79) = 8.334, p < 0.001; t = 3.76, p < 0.001), while motor competence did not predict the level of physical activity behavior. These findings illustrate the importance of both physical activity enjoyment and physical activity behavior and the significant role of locomotor skills in enhancing the level of physical activity enjoyment in this specific population of children. Motor competence should be considered a priority when designing and implementing physical education and physical activity programs for school-aged children from lower-income families.