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Being and perceiving oneself as proficient in motor skills seems essential for an active lifestyle; conversely, being active and perceiving oneself as proficient may be associated with greater motor competence. By expanding the causal path view about the relationship between active and healthy developmental system elements, this study tested the mediation hypothesis of perceived motor competence in the relationship between motor competence and physical activity - in both ways - and moderation by developmental phase and sex. This cross-sectional study sampled healthy schoolchildren (n = 379; 8.2 ± 1.7 years; 54.9% boys). Physical activity (questionnaire), motor competence (tests included locomotor and object control skills) and perception of motor competence (a pictorial scale) were assessed. Maximum likelihood structural equation models with fit statistics confirmed the mediation in both ways. Unexpectedly, the relationship between motor competence and physical activity was inverse. Sex was a moderating variable (boys). In a systemic relational paradigm of human development, perceived motor competence, motor competence, and physical activity interact in an active and healthy behavioural system, but the complexities of understanding how these elements relate to one another across childhood point to the need for future longitudinal studies.

OBJECTIVE To synthesize evidence from studies that analyzed the associations between sedentary behavior and motor competence in children and adolescents. METHODS Systematic review of original articles that analyzed possible associations between sedentary behavior and motor competence in children and adolescents (3–18 years of age), without restrictions on study design, instruments and analysis protocols. The articles were identified through searches in the PubMed, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, Cinahl, Medline and SPORTDiscus databases, as well as in reference lists. The level of evidence was evaluated according to the amount of studies that reported statistical significance in the associations between the variables and the quality of the articles (risk of bias). RESULTS Of 2,462 initial studies, 22 composed the synthesis (two interventions, nine longitudinal and eleven cross-sectional studies). Of these, in 13, we observed negative associations between the variables, more often in the age group of seven to fourteen years. In the analysis of risk of bias, the main limitations of the studies were “convenience sampling” and “no description of sample sizing”. CONCLUSIONS The available evidence suggests that sedentary behavior is negatively associated with motor competence in elementary school children, although the evidence is uncertain in the preschool years; the synthesis of results from longitudinal studies suggests that sedentary behavior negatively affects the development of motor competence. It is important that future studies have greater control over sociocultural determinants and deepen knowledge regarding sex and age, as well as the methods and indicators used to evaluate the two variables. RESUMO OBJETIVO Sintetizar as evidências de estudos que analisaram as associações entre comportamento sedentário e competência motora em crianças e adolescentes. MÉTODOS Revisão sistemática de artigos originais que analisaram possíveis associações entre comportamento sedentário e competência motora em crianças e adolescentes (3–18 anos de idade), sem restrições quanto ao delineamento de estudo, instrumentos e protocolos de análise. Os artigos foram identificados por meio de buscas nas bases PubMed, Web of Science, Academic Search Premier, Cinahl, Medline e SPORTDiscus, assim como em listas de referências. O nível de evidência foi avaliado de acordo com a quantidade de estudos que reportaram significância estatística nas associações entre as variáveis e a qualidade dos artigos (o risco de viés). RESULTADOS De 2.462 estudos iniciais, 22 compuseram a síntese (duas intervenções, nove longitudinais e onze transversais). Desses, em 13 foram observadas associações negativas entre as variáveis, mais frequentemente na faixa etária de sete a catorze anos. Na análise do risco de viés, as principais limitações dos estudos foram “amostragens por conveniência” e “não descrição do dimensionamento amostral”. CONCLUSÕES A evidência disponível sugere que o comportamento sedentário está negativamente associado à competência motora em crianças do ensino fundamental, embora a evidência seja incerta nos anos pré-escolares; a síntese de resultados dos estudos longitudinais sugere que o comportamento sedentário afeta negativamente o desenvolvimento da competência motora. É importante que futuros estudos tenham maior controle sobre os determinantes socioculturais e aprofundem os conhecimentos em relação ao sexo e à faixa etária, assim como dos métodos e indicadores utilizados para avaliação das duas variáveis.

Performance in the supine-to-stand (STS) task is an important functional and health marker throughout life, but the evaluation methods and some correlates can impact it. This article aims to examine the studies that assessed the performance of the STS task of young people, adults and the elderly. Evidence of the association between the STS task and body weight status, musculoskeletal fitness and physical activity was investigated, and a general protocol was proposed. MEDLINE/Pubmed and Web of Science databases were accessed for searching studies measuring the STS task directly; identification, objective, design, sample, protocols and results data were extracted; the risk of bias was assessed (PROSPERO CRD42017055693). From 13,155 studies, 37 were included, and all demonstrated a low to moderate risk of bias. The STS task was applied in all world, but the protocols varied across studies, and they lacked detail; robust evidence demonstrating the association between STS task and musculoskeletal fitness was found; there was limited research examining body weight status, physical activity and the STS task performance. In conclusion, the STS task seems to be a universal tool to track motor functional competence and musculoskeletal fitness throughout life for clinical or research purposes.