Interrelationships among motor coordination, body fat percentage, and physical activity in adolescent girls

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this study was to analyze the interrelationships among motor coordination, body fat percentage, and physical activity levels in adolescent girls. Methods. Sixty-eight girls aged 12-14 years participated in the study. Skinfold thickness was measured and the Körperkoordinationstest für Kinder test was administered. Participants completed a self-reporting questionnaire on physical activity. Bivariate and partial correlations were used to analyze the interrelationships among the selected variables. Results. There were no significant (p > 0.05) correlations between any motor coordination scores and physical activity levels with and without controlling for body fat percentage. All motor coordination scores were significantly (p < 0.05) associated with body fat with and without controlling for physical activity levels. Conclusions. The relationships between motor coordination scores and physical activity levels, as well as between motor coordination scores and body fat percentage, were not influenced by body fat and physical activity levels, respectively. However, the overall low physical activity level in this sample may have biased these results. Additional research involving girls with higher physical activity levels should be pursued.