ASSOCIATIONS BETWEEN MOTOR COMPETENCES AND HEALTH-RELATED QUALITY OF LIFE IN EARLY PRIMARY SCHOOL CHILDREN: A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

Background: An increasing body of research has focused on the relationship between motor competence and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in childhood; however, the effects of short-term school-based physical activity interventions remain insufficiently understood. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of a structured movement-based program on primary school children’s motor competence (MC) and HRQoL, and to explore whether changes in MC are associated with changes in HRQoL.

Material and Methods: A quasi-experimental pre–post design was applied, including an experimental (n = 16) and a control group (n = 13) (N = 29). The sample consisted of third-grade children from an Austrian primary school (M = 8.28 years; SD = 0.45). Over a two-month period, the experimental group participated in a structured movement program three times per week, while the control group attended regular physical education classes. MC was assessed using the MOBAK-3 test and HRQoL with the KIDSCREEN-27 questionnaire. Non-parametric statistical analyses were conducted (p < 0.05).

Results: A significant change was observed in the MOBAK-3 total score across the total sample, whereas no significant change was found in the KIDSCREEN-27 total score. Improvements were detected in specific HRQoL subscales (psychological well-being, autonomy and parent relations) in both groups. No significant association was found between changes in MC and changes in HRQoL, and the intervention effect could not be clearly distinguished from natural developmental changes.

Conclusion: The findings suggest that while MC can improve over a short period, such changes do not necessarily translate into overall improvements in HRQoL. The relationship between MC and HRQoL appears to be complex, highlighting the need for subscale-level analyses and longer-term follow-up studies.