Young adults motor competence after a 12 months period

Abstract

The aim of this study was to analyse the change in motor competence (MC), body composition, and habitual physical activity (PA) levels in a group of university students over 12-month. 92 participants (68 males; 21.2±5.5 years old) took part in this study. All participants were sport sciences students and had their MC, body composition and habitual PA, assessed at baseline and after 12 months. Lean mass significantly increased in females (+0.2%; Effect Size (ES)= 0.726) and males (+0.2%; ES = 0.555). In females, was also observed a significant increase in weight (+0.1%; ES=0.734). In terms of MC, significant improvements were observed in females MC stability (+0.3%; ES=0.696), MC manipulative (+1.1%; ES=0.866), standing long jump performance (+0.7%; ES=0.511), and total MC (+1.9%; ES=0.699). Males exhibited significant decreases in MC manipulative (-1.5%; ES=0.640), throwing velocity (-1.3%; ES=0.473), kicking velocity (-1.4%; ES=0.755), standing long jump performance (-1.1%; ES=0.408), and shuttle run (-1.3%; ES=0.502). In early adulthood, sport science undergraduate students MC can differ across a 12-month period, changing in accordance with habitual PA levels. It appears that the changes related to the growth and maintenance of MC continue throughout adulthood.