Association between sports participation, motor competence and weight status: A longitudinal study

Objectives The aim of this study was to investigate if baseline motor competence, weight status and sports participation in early childhood predict sports participation two years later. Design longitudinal study. Methods In 2010, motor competence (object control and locomotor skills), weight status and sports participation were assessed in 292 children between three and five years-of-age. In 2012, sports participation was re-evaluated in 206 of the original 292 children. Logistic regression was implemented to examine if initial sports participation, motor competence and weight status would predict sports participation two years later. Results In the final model, sports participation in 2010 (OR = 9.68, CI: 3.46 to 27.13) and locomotor skills (OR = 1.21, CI: 1.01 to 1.46) significantly predicted sports participation after two years. Conclusions These results suggest that initial sports participation and more advanced locomotor skills in preschool years may be important to promote continued participation in sports across childhood.